求生西方,不可怕死
[182] [Those] Seeking Birth [In The] West[ern Pure Land] Must Not Fear Death
求生西方者,不可怕死。若今日即死,今日即生西方。
Those seeking birth [in the] West[ern Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界)] must not fear death. If today immediately dying, today immediately [is there] birth [in the] West[ern Pure Land].
[Note 1: If Aspiration (愿) to reach Pure Land (净土) is strong and form, not only will there not be fretting over death, there will be joy instead, as this is the key turning point one has been waiting for in this life.]
所谓:「朝闻道,夕死可矣。」岂可今日要死,且不愿死。
As said [by Confucius, ‘Even if in the] morning [having] heard [the] path, [and in the] evening dying, [this is] certainly [worth it].’ How can [it be, that if] today, [one] must die, [one is] yet not willing [to] die?
[Note 2: It is immeasurably better to have learnt and practised the path to reach Pure Land in this life, even if this life is short, than to not learn and practise the path, even if this life is long. This is so as with the first, there will be liberation forever, while with the latter, there will not be liberation, for indefinite lives.]
既贪恋尘境,不能放下。便因贪成障,净土之境不现,而随业受生于善恶道中之境便现。境现,则随业受生于善恶道中矣。往生西方,便成画饼。
Since [with] greedy attachment [to the] realm [of] dust, [one will] not [be] able [to] let [it] go. Then, because [of] greed becoming [an] obstacle, [the] realm of Pure Land [will] not appear, and following karma, receiving birth within [a] good [or] evil path, [with the] realm then appearing. [When the] realm appears, then following karma, receiving birth within [a] good [or] evil path. [For] rebirth [in the] West[ern Pure Land, this] then becomes [a] drawn cake [from wishful thinking, that cannot be eaten].
[Note 3: There should be revulsed renunciation of the Sahā World (厌离娑婆) instead, to counter the greedy attachment, as a push factor away from it, along with joyful seeking of the Land Of Ultimate Bliss (欣求极乐), as a pull factor towards it.]
故修西方人,今日死也好,再活一百二十岁死也好。一切任彼前业,不去妄生计校。
Thus, [for] persons cultivating [the path to reach the] West[ern Pure Land], dying today [is] also good, in addition living [for] one hundred [and] twenty years [more before] dying [is] also good. Allow all that past karma [to be, and do] not go [to] falsely give rise [to thoughts of] calculation [and] comparison.
[Note 4: With earlier departure is sooner reaching of Pure Land, for perfecting the Buddha path. With later departure is encouragement of more to reach Pure Land possible, although one can also return from Pure Land, to more skilfully continue doing so.]
[Note 5: When we practise the Dharma diligently, including mindfulness of Buddha (念佛), as this can eliminate evil karma that causes short lives, and increases lifespan with its meritorious virtues (功德), lifespan can lengthen naturally. As the workings of karma over many lifetimes are complex, there is no point trying to calculate and compare one’s lifespan with that of others. What matters is where we are going to in this life, despite having a short or long life, with little or much good and evil karma.]
倘信愿真切,报终命尽,便即神超净域,业谢尘劳。莲开九品之花,佛授一生之记矣。
If [with] Faith [and] Aspiration true [and] sincere, [when this] retribution [body] ends [and] life exhausts, then immediately [will the] consciousness transcend [to the] Pure Land, [with evil] karma withering [with] dusty labours. [With] flowers of [the] lotus [that] blossom [with] nine grades, [the] Buddha [will then] confer of [Buddhahood in] one lifetime.
[Note 6: With the Three Provisions (三资粮) of true Faith (真信), sincere Aspiration (切愿) and true Practice (实行) of mindfulness of the Buddha (念佛): https://purelanders.com/2018/02/08/the-three-provisions, there will be birth in his Pure Land via the nine grades of lotus flowers (九品莲华): https://purelanders.com/guanjing, with the disabling of past evil karmas’ effects, in that life bound for Buddhahood.]
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师文钞》(正编):复高邵麟书一;
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): First Reply Letter [To] Gāo Shàolín;
印光大师文钞菁华录(第一百八十二则):四、论生死事大:甲、警人命无常(第四则)
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (182nd Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: First, Warnings [On] Human Life’s Impermanence (4th Short Section)
[Ref: #182 / 4.1.4]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关典籍
Related Text:
《印光大师文钞菁华录》
Record Of Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence
https://purelanders.com/jinghualu