求生西方者，不可怕死。
Those seeking birth [in the] West[ern Pure Land], must not [be] afraid [of] death.
若今日即死，今日即生西方。
If today immediately dying, today immediately [is there] birth [in the] West[ern Pure Land].
所谓「朝闻道，夕死可矣。」
As said [by Confucius, ‘Even if in the] morning [having] heard [the] path, [and in the] evening dying, [this is] certainly [worth it].’
岂可今日要死，且不愿死。
How can [it be, that if] today [one] must die, [one] yet [does] not wish [to] die?
既贪恋尘境，不能放下。
Since [with] greedy attachment [to the] realm [of] dust, [one will] not [be] able [to] let [it] go.
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。
Then, because [of] greed becoming [an] obstacle, [the] realm of Pure Land [will] not appear, and according [with] karma, [there is] receiving [of] birth within [a] good [or] evil path, [whose] realm then appears.
境现，则随业受生于善恶道中矣。
[When the] realm appears, thus according [with] karma, [there is] receiving [of] birth within [a] good [or] evil path.
往生西方，便成画饼。
[On] rebirth [in the] West[ern Pure Land, this] then becomes [but a] drawn cake [from wishful thinking, that cannot be eaten].
故修西方人，今日死也好，再活一百二十岁死也好。
Thus, [for] persons cultivating [the path to the] West[ern Pure Land], today dying [is] also alright, again living [for] one hundred [and] twenty years [more before] dying [is] also alright.
一切任彼前业，不去妄生计校。
Let all that past karma [that determines lifespan be, and do] not go [to] falsely give rise [to thoughts, to be] bothered [about it].
倘信愿真切，报终命尽，便即神超净域，业谢尘劳。
If [with] Faith [and] Aspiration true [and] sincere, [when this] retribution [body] ends [and] life exhausts, then immediately [will the] consciousness transcend [to] Pure Land, [with negative] karma withering [with] dusty labours.
莲开九品之花，佛授一生之记矣。
[With] lotus flowers [that] blossom [into the] nine grades, [the] Buddha [will then] confer [of Buddhahood in] one lifetime.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(复高邵麟居士书一)
(First reply letter to layperson Gāo Shàolín)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
Please be mindful of your speech, Amituofo!