一心念佛决定往生净土
[With] Wholehearted Mindfulness [Of] Buddha [Is] Definite Rebirth [In] Pure Land
念佛法门,以信,愿为先锋,若无真信,切愿,勿道不相应不能往生,即相应亦不能决定往生。
[The] Dharma Door [Of] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, [is] with Faith [and] Aspiration as [its] first guide. If without true Faith [and] sincere Aspiration, do not say [that this with] not corresponding, not able [to be] reborn [in Pure Land]. Even if corresponding, [this is] likewise not able [to] definitely [be] reborn.
一心不乱,念佛三昧,亦不易得。若有真信,切愿,未得相应,亦可往生,况已相应乎。
Single-mindedness without [being] scattered, [and] Samādhi [From] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, [are] likewise not easy [to] attain. If having true Faith [and] sincere Aspiration, [but] yet [to] attain correspondence, [this] likewise can [be] reborn, moreover [if] already [with] correspondence.
汝只知求相应,稍有相应气分,便生欢喜赞叹之心,此亦是不相应之现象,由是故有怪相现。
You, [if] only knowing [to] seek [for] correspondence, [when] slightly having correspondence’s atmosphere, then giving rise [to the] mind [of] joy [and] praise, this likewise is [the] phenomenon of not [having] correspondence, due to this thus, having strange appearances manifesting.
修行人,所最忌者,得少为足。得少为足,便生退惰,此必定之理也。
[For] cultivators, that [to be] most avoided, [is with] attaining [of] little as enough. [With] attaining little as enough, then giving rise [to] regression [and] laziness, this is truth [with] certainty.
祈但一心念,勿以不相应不得往生为疑惧。所有境界,皆不理会,也不问他好死坏死。除念佛之外,不使起第二念。如此,方可得决定往生之益。
[I] implore [you to] only [be] wholeheartedly mindful, [and] not with ‘not corresponding not attaining rebirth’ as doubt [and] fear. Of all states, all [should] not [be] paid attention to, also not asking [if] they [will lead to a] good death [or a] bad death. Apart from mindfulness [of] Buddha, [do] not cause [the] rise [of a] second thought. Like this, then can [there be] attaining [of] definite rebirth’s benefits.

打饿七为极险事
Doing Fasting Seven[-Day Retreat] Practices Is Utmost Dangerous
若怕死时种种不相宜之障碍,因打饿七,此事险极。
If afraid [of] when dying, [having] all kinds of obstacles [that are] not appropriate, because [of this] doing [a] fasting seven[-day retreat], this practice [is with] dangers utmost.
[Note 1: Fasting retreats that abstain from food and drink totally are dangerous as practitioners might die from starvation and thirst before having any spiritual breakthrough, which is what was wanted. Dying with great desperation and dissatisfaction, it will be difficult to have good rebirths.]
吃饱饭,尚不能相应,到饿的要死的时候,还能相应么?
[If having] eaten full, still not able [to have] correspondence, when reaching hunger [till] almost dying, [can you] still [be] able [to have] correspondence?
[Note 2: Rather than doing fasting seven-day retreats with the body (身上打饿七), which only punishes the body, making it difficult to use for further practice, we might as well do fasting seven-day retreats with the mind (心上打饿七), which is to ‘starve’ the mind from all false (i.e. stray) thoughts, which are those not aligned with wholehearted mindfulness of Buddha (一心念佛).]
如必要打饿七,请下山到别处去打,灵岩决不许开此一法。
If [you] must do [a] fasting seven[-day retreat], please descend [from this] mountain [and go] to another place [to] do [it, as Mount] Língyán [Monastery (灵岩山寺) here] will definitely not allow [the] holding [of] this one Dharma [practice].
汝完全是在妄想窠中求相应。若肯一切妄想通放下,当必病愈身安。即世寿已尽,亦当正念昭彰,随佛往生。
You are totally [from] within false throughts’ nest seeking correspondence. If willing [to have] all false thoughts all put down, [you] will definitely [have your] sickness healed, [with your] body [at] peace. Even if [your] worldly lifespan [is] already exhausting, [you] also will [have your] Right Mindfulness clearly revealed, following [the] Buddha [to be] reborn.
[Note 3: There are the rare few, such as Dharma Master Yíngkē (莹珂法师), who are able to ‘forgo’ eating and drinking to connect to the Buddha. They were actually capable of letting go of all false thoughts (including those on food and drink), to be wholeheartedly mindful of the Buddha, thus not needing to consume. It only seems as if they ‘had’ to fast, when fasting was more incidental than intentional. Also, for those very old and/or sick, with their bodies ‘winding down’ naturally, they usually need to eat less and less, and eventually none at all.]
念佛的人,不得有来生后世的念头。汝往生的心尚不专一,则决定不能不又在此世界受六道之生矣。
People mindful [of the] Buddha, must not have thoughts [about their] future [worldly] lives [and] lives after [the] next. [If] your rebirth’s mind [is] still not focused singularly, then [are you] definitely not able, [to] not again in this world receive births of [the] six paths.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
《复慧空大师书》
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Reply Letter [To] Great Master Huìkōng)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
三资粮
The Three Provisions
https://purelanders.com/2018/02/08/the-three-provisions
如何提早或延后生净土
[1]-[2] How To Reach Pure Land Sooner Or Later
https://purelanders.com/2017/05/27/how-to-reach-pure-land-sooner-or-later
念佛愿往生,不灭寿取证
[75] With Mindfulness Of Buddha Aspiring For Rebirth, Not Destroying Lifespan To Obtain Realisation
但致诚致敬,以期尽报往生
Only With Utmost Sincerity And Utmost Reverence, Waiting For The End Of This Retribution Body For Rebirth
https://purelanders.com/2024/05/14/75-with-mindfulness-of-buddha-aspiring-for-rebirth-not-destroying-lifespan-to-obtain-realisation