父母临终往生净土
[2] [For] Fathers [And] Mothers [To] Approach [Life’s] End [With] Rebirth [In] Pure Land
谛信净土，发心念佛者，莲池下种时也；一心念佛，众善庄严者，莲华出水时也；念佛功成，净土缘熟，华开见佛时也。
Those [with] true Faith [in the] Pure Land, when giving rise [to] mindfulness [of the] Buddha, [will in a] lotus pond sow [a seed. When] those wholeheartedly mindful [of the] Buddha, [are with] all good adorning, [their] lotus flowers [will] sprout [from the] water. [When those with] mindfulness [of] Buddha’s efforts accomplished, [are with] Pure Land’s affinity mature, [their] flowers [will] blossom [for] seeing [the] Buddha.
[Note 1: To adorn with all good is to dedicate all meritorious virtues done in this life for reaching Pure Land. The lotus flower in Pure Land will manifest before one when approaching life’s end, as the vehicle for birth in Pure Land.]
佛子事佛，固先事亲。拳拳孝念，不舍须臾。顺父母之情怀，察父母之颜色，才乖摄养，力为调和。
[The] Buddha’s disciples serving [the] Buddha, certainly [should] first serve [their] parents. Earnest [with] filial thoughts, not abandoning [them for one] moment. According [with] fathers’ [and] mothers’ frame of mind, observing [the] facial expressions of [their] fathers [and] mothers, then [with] obedience gathering [and] supporting, [with] efforts done harmoniously.
又当念风烛不停，须防往生时至。
Also, [there] should [be] mindfulness [that when life is like a] candle [in the] wind unceasing, [there] must [be] protection [when] rebirth’s time arrives.
[Note 2: This refers to taking extra care of one’s parents, whose life might be fickle, especially when aged, sick and dying.]
预以父母平生所修一切善缘好事及众人助修功德聚为一疏，时时对父母读之，要令父母心生欢喜。
In advance with fathers’ [and] mothers’ all good affinities, good deeds and everyone’s supportive meritorious virtues throughout [their] lives gathered as [a] memorial [text], often [for] fathers [and] mothers reading them, [there] must [be] enabling [of] fathers’ [and] mothers’ minds [to] give rise [to] joy.
[Note 3: There can be use of photographs and mementos as records too.]
又当劝令坐卧西向，不忘净土。又当东向设弥陀像，劝令一心念佛。
Also, [there] should [be] encouraging [and] enabling [of] sitting [and] lying down [in the] Western direction, [to] not forget Pure Land. Also, [there] should [be in the] Eastern direction setting up [an] Āmítuófó image, [for] encouraging [and] enabling wholehearted recitation [of the] Buddha[‘s name].
[Note 4: Being positioned in the Western direction is to remember one’s spiritual destination. The image is to offer an alternative physical reminder at home.]
焚香鸣磬，躬率众人，同声和之。常使佛声相续不绝，无以世情悲恋，恐失正念。
[With] burning [of] incense, [and] striking [of a] guiding bell, bow [to] lead everyone, [with the] same voice harmonising [with] them. Constantly enable Buddha recitation [to be in] continuous succession [that is] unending, not for worldly affairs [having] sorrow [and] attachment, [in] fear [of] losing Right Mindfulness.
[Note 5: Offering of incense to the Buddha should be avoided in the presence of the sick and dying if there is poor air circulation. Other offerings like water and food can be made instead. If a recorded track is used, the sounding of a guiding bell might already be present: https://purelanders.com/mp3. To have Right Mindfulness is to recite the Buddha’s name with profound Faith (深信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿).]
临舍报时，犹当用意，自然诸圣来迎，往生净土，宝莲花中，决定成佛。
When approaching renouncing [of this] retribution [body, there] should still [be the] focused mind, [with which] naturally, many noble [ones will] come [to] welcome, [for] rebirth [in] Pure Land, [in] treasure lotus flowers within, [to] definitely accomplish Buddhahood.
孝子侍养父母正在此时，不宜懈怠。此孝子事亲临终之大事也。以此为孝，其孝至矣。
When filial children wait upon [their] fathers [and] mothers, precisely at this moment, [they] should not [be] lazy. This [is the] great[est] matter [for] filial children serving [their] parents, [when] approaching [life’s] end. With this as filial, that [is with] filial [piety] utmost.
[Note 6: Offering guidance (开示) and support-chanting (助念) is utmost important then, as with heeding and following respectively, there will be reaching of Pure Land, to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death forever, with the swiftest progress towards Buddhahood possible.]
又况从古以来，念佛往生西方者非一，略举数条以为念佛者鉴：
Also, moreover, from ancient [times] since, those [with] mindfulness [of] Buddha reborn [in the] Western [Pure Land are] not singular. Briefly raising [are] several [examples] for those mindful [of] Buddha [to] reflect [on].
所以乌长国主睹众圣以来迎，隋文皇后乘异香而西迈。
Therefore, [with] Udyāna country’s King seeing many noble [ones] coming [to] welcome, [and] Suí [Dynasty’s] Wén Empress riding [on the] extraordinary fragrance, then [to the] West striding.
[Note 7: The King’s case can be seen at https://purelanders.com/2022/03/04/record-of-a-kings-rebirth-in-pure-land.]
[Note 8: The Empress’ case can be seen at https://purelanders.com/2022/03/04/record-of-an-empress-rebirth-in-pure-land.]
姚行婆请佛相待，宋世子侍母同归。
Yáo Xíngpó [i.e. old practitioner lady] requested [the] Buddha [to] wait [for] another [practitioner, and] Sòng [Dynasty’s] Shìzi[‘s daughter] attended [to her] mother, [to] together ‘return’ [to Pure Land].
[Note 9: Yáo Xíngpó’s case can be seen at https://purelanders.com/2022/03/04/record-of-requesting-the-buddha-to-wait-to-be-seen-by-buddhist-friend-and-for-biding-farewell.]
[Note 10: Shìzi’s daughter’s case can be seen at https://purelanders.com/2022/03/04/records-of-a-fathers-mothers-sons-daughters-and-grandsons-rebirths-in-pure-land.]
可谓一超直入如来地矣。
[This] can [be] called ‘once transcending, directly entering [the] Thus Come [One’s] ground’ [for progress towards Buddhahood].
《庐山莲宗宝鉴》：念佛往生正诀卷第八
Lúshān’s Lotus Tradition’s Treasure Mirror: Eighth Scroll [On] Right Tips [On] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha [For] Rebirth
优昙普度大师编
[By] Great Master Yōután Pǔdù Compiled
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
