人生世间，无论久暂，终有一死。
[Of every] human life [in this] world, regardless [of it being] long [or] short, [in the] end, [there will be the approach of] a death.
其死不足惜，其死而所归之处，可不预为安顿乎。
[Of] that death, [it is] not worth [feeling] pity. [Of] that death, of [the] place [that is to] ‘return’ [to], how [can we] not in advance arrange for [doing so]?
有力量者，自己预为安顿妥帖，则临终固不须他人为之辅助。
[For] those with strength, [they should] personally in advance arrange for [so] satisfactorily [with sufficient learning and practice], thus [when] approaching [the] end [of life], indeed not needing other people’s assistance [of guidance and support-chanting] for [them].
然能辅助，则更为得力。
However, [if] able [to have] assistance, [they will] thus [be] even more capable [and efficient].
无力量者，当令家属代为念佛，则必能提起正念，不致恩爱牵缠，仍旧被爱情所缚，住此莫出也。
Those without strength, should enable family members [to] represent [them], for [them being] mindful [of] Buddha. Thus [will they] definitely [be] able [to] uphold right mindfulness, not causing affectionate love [to be] entangled [in, to] still remain [being] bound by love. [If] abiding [in] this, [they will] not [be able to] exit [from the cycle of birth and death].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
复黄涵之居士书一
First reply letter to layperson Huáng Hánzhī
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
