如何不负此生？
How [To] Not Betray This Life?
念佛不分圣凡。圣指三乘，即声闻，缘觉，菩萨。凡指六道，即天，人，阿修罗，畜生，饿鬼，地狱。
Mindfulness [of] Buddha [is] not differentiated [for] noble [and] ordinary [beings]. Noble [beings] refer [to those of the] Three Vehicles, [who] are then Voice-Hearers, [those by] Conditions Awakened [and] Bodhisattvas. Ordinary [beings] refer [to the] six paths, [who] are then heavenly [beings], human [beings], asuras, animals, hungry ghosts [and] hell[-beings].
但天以乐故，不能念者多。三途以苦故，不能念者更多。修罗以瞋故，亦不能念。
However, heavenly [beings], with joy thus, those not able [to be] mindful [are] many. [The] three paths, with suffering thus, those not able [to be] mindful [are] even more. Asuras, with anger thus, [are] likewise not able [to be] mindful.
惟人最易念。而富贵之人，便被富贵所迷。聪明人，以聪明迷。愚痴人，以愚痴迷。
Only humans [are those] most easy [to be] mindful. Yet, of people [with] wealth [and] honour, [they are] then by that wealth [and] honour confused. Intelligent people, [are] with intelligence confused. Foolish people, [are] with foolishness confused.
芸芸众生，能念佛者，有几人哉？既知此义，当勇猛修持，勿致欲念而不能念，则不负此生此遇矣！
[With] all numerous sentient beings, [of] those able [to be] mindful [of] Buddha, how many [such] persons [are there]? Since knowing this meaning, [there] should [be] courageous [and] powerful cultivation [of] upholding [the Buddha’s name: Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], not leading [to] desiring [to be] mindful yet not able [to be] mindful [later], thus not betraying this life’s this encounter [with mindfulness of Buddha]!
净土宗十三祖印光大师
《复卓智立居士书三》
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Third Reply Letter [To] Layperson Zhuō Zhìlì)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
