其有平日自命通宗通教，视净土若秽物，恐其污己者，临终多是手忙脚乱，呼爷叫娘。
[There] are those, [who in] ordinary days, consider themselves to be ‘experts’ [in] realisation [and] ‘experts’ [in all of the Buddha’s] teachings, [who] see Pure Land as if [as a] defiled object, fearing [that] it [will] defile themselves, [due to their own arrogance and delusion. However, when] approaching [the] end [of life], many [of them] are [with their] hands busy [and] legs confused, [flustered and lost], crying [for their] Fathers [and] calling [for their] Mothers.
其有老实头持戒念佛，纵信愿未极，瑞相不现，皆是安然命终。
[Then, there] are those earnest[ly sincere] persons, [who in everyday life] uphold [the] precepts [and practise] mindfulness [of Amitābha] Buddha[‘s name: Āmítuófó]. Even [when] Faith [and] Aspiration [are] yet [to be] utmost, [with] auspicious signs not manifesting, [they] are all [able to be] peaceful [when their] lives end.
其故何哉，良由心水澄清，由分别而昏动。
How [are] these [differences] thus? Verily, [this is] due [to their] minds’ waters [being] pure [and] clear, [and the others], due [to] discrimination, [who are] then [with] muddle-headedness moving [restlessly].
识波奔涌，因佛号以渟凝。
[When the] consciousness’ waves [are] rushing [and] rising, due to [sincere mindfulness of the] Buddha’s name, with [it, the water will become] calm [and] clear.
所以上智不如下愚，弄巧反成大拙也。
Therefore, [those supposedly of] ‘higher wisdom’ [become] not as good as [those supposedly of] ‘lower foolishness’. [When trying to] handle [dying] skilfully, [the first] instead accomplish [only] great clumsiness.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《与大兴善寺体安和尚书》
(Written for Dàxīngshàn Monastery’s Venerable Tǐ’ān)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
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https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/6yoK5BLNdxyzrd3-uErc3A
