凡念佛人，各须务实克己习气，与人方便。
All people [who practise] mindfulness [of] Buddha, must each practically subdue personal [negative] habitual tendencies, [and practise] giving [to] people [with] skilful means.
凡可说者，虽与我有仇，亦须为说，令其趋吉而避凶，离苦而得乐。
[For] all those [who] can [be] spoken [to], although with myself having enmity, likewise must [I] for [them] speak [the Dharma, to] enable them [to] attract [the] auspicious and avoid [the] inauspicious, [to] depart [from] suffering and attain bliss.
平时侃侃凿凿，与人说因果报应，生死轮回，并念佛了生死之道，与教儿女，立太平之基。
In ordinary times, [with composure], fervour, assurance, [reliability and] truthfulness, for people speak [of the] cause [and] effect [of karmic] retribution, also [of] mindfulness [of] Buddha, [as the] path of liberation [from the cycle of] birth [and] death, with [this] teaching sons [and] daughters, [to] establish [the] foundation of great peace.
心如弦直，语无模棱。
[Be with the] mind like [a] string straightened, [with] speech without [the] vague [and] indefinite [i.e. ambiguous and equivocal speech].
居心可以质鬼神，作事决不昧天理。
[The good] deliberate mind can confront [even] ghosts [and] gods, [and] done matters [are] definitely not concealed [from] heavenly principles.
若到临终，决无此种可怜可悯之现象。
If [practising as above], reaching [life’s] end, [one will] definitely [be] without this kind [of] pitiable phenomena, [of facing karmic retribution].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
(复杨德观居士书)
Pure Land Tradition’s 13 Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Reply Letter [To] Layperson Yáng Déguān)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
