所谓修净业者，唯在一心求生西方，不作此世来生一切人天福乐想耳。
That so-called cultivation [of] pure karma, [is to] only have wholehearted seeking [of] birth [in the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss], not [having the] thought [to, in] this life [or in the] future life, have all [kinds of] human [or] heavenly blessings’ joys.
凡所持诵经咒，并一切种种功德，无论大小，皆以此功德，回向往生，则心无二念。
All that [from] upholding [and] reciting [of] sūtras [and] mantras, and all kinds [of] meritorious virtues, regardless [of] great [or] small, with all these meritorious virtues, dedicating [for] rebirth [in Pure Land], thus [with the] mind without [a] second thought.
凡一切读诵礼拜，及诸善行，皆成净土助行。
All [from] reading, reciting, prostrating, and all [other] good practices, all become Pure Land’s Supportive Practices.
念佛之正行，再加以种种功德助之，则如船遇顺风，又加高挂风帆，则一日千里，速登彼岸矣。
[With] mindfulness of [Amitābha] Buddha’s [name: ‘Āmítuófó’ as the] Main Practice, again with all kinds [of] meritorious virtues’ support added, thus [is] like [a] ship encountering [a] tail wind, also [with a] high-hanging sail added, thus [in] one day, [sailing for a] thousand miles, [to] swiftly ascend [the] other shore.
所忌者，心口不相应，则一切善行，只得现世虚名，无有了生脱死之实果矣。
That [to be] avoided, [is to have the] mind [and] mouth not corresponding [in Aspiration and word], thus [for] all good practices, only attaining [this] present life’s false reputation, without having [the] true fruit of liberation [from the cycle of] birth [and] death.
纵令来生得其人天福乐，则由享福故，必定大造恶业。
Even if, [in the] future life attaining those human [or] heavenly blessings’ joys, thus due [to complacent and reckless] enjoyment [of] blessings, [there will] definitely [be] great creation [of] evil karma.
及至命终，则永堕地狱，万劫难出矣。哀哉。
By the time that life ends, thus for [a] long [time] falling [into] hell, [that in] ten thousand kalpas [is] difficult [to] exit [from]. Alas!
由是之故，诸佛诸祖皆劝众生求生西方也。
Due [to] this thus, all Buddhas [and] all Patriarchs all encourage sentient beings [to] seek birth [in the] Western [Pure Land].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(复马香瑞居士书)
(Reply Letter To Layperson Mǎ Xiāngruì)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
