古人云，死生亦大矣，可不悲哉。
Ancient ones say, ‘[As the critical event of] death [or] life [when dying is] also great, how [is this] not [sorrowful and] lamentable?’
窃谓徒悲，究有何益。
I [humbly] say, ‘[Being sorrowful and] lamenting in vain, exactly what benefit [does this] have?’
须知生死大事也。
[It] must [be] known [that liberation from the cycle of] birth [and] death [is a] great matter.
信愿念佛大法也。
[With profound] Faith [and sincere] Aspiration [being] mindful [of Amitābha] Buddha[‘s name: ‘Āmítuófó’, this is the] great Dharma [door for liberation].
既知死之可悲，当于未死之前，修此大法。
Since knowing [that] death [is sorrowful and] lamentable, [there] should [be, when] yet [to] die [now], beforehand cultivating [this] great Dharma [door].
则死不但无可悲，且大可幸也。
Thus, [the moment of] death [becomes] not only without [what is sorrowful and] lamentable, but also [becomes] greatly fortunate.
何以故，以净业成熟，仗佛慈力，直下往生西方极乐世界。
How is [this] so? With pure karma maturing, relying [upon the] Buddha’s power [of] loving-kindness, [there is] direct rebirth [in his] Western [Pure] Land [Of] Ultimate Bliss.
得以超凡入圣，了生脱死。
[This is] able to transcend [the] ordinary [to] enter [the] sagely, [to be] liberated [from the cycle of] birth [and] death.
永离众苦，但受诸乐。
Forever departed [from the] many [kinds of] suffering, only experiencing all [kinds of] bliss.
渐次修习，直至成佛而后已也。
Gradually [yet most swiftly, with] spiritual cultivation, directly reaching [the] accomplishment [of] Buddhahood, then finishing [the path].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(饬[chì]终津梁跋)
(Afterword [Of] ‘Ferry Bridge [For] Directing [The] End [Of Life]’)
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
