[199] Consolation For Those Suffering From Sickness 病苦者之安慰

如何看待重病的痛苦？
How To See Pain And Suffering When Very Sick?

汝母何以病不见愈，盖以宿业所致，殆转重报后报为现报轻报，于此时以了之乎。

[On] why your mother [is] not appearing [to] heal, [this] hindrance [is] with [her] past karma as [the] cause, similar to [the] transformation [of] heavier retribution [with] later retribution, as present retribution [with] lighter retribution, at this time, with it ending.

病苦者之安慰
[199] Consolation [For] Those Suffering [From] Sickness

玄奘法师临终亦稍有病苦，心疑所译之经，或有错谬。

Dharma Master Xuánzàng, [when] approaching [life’s] end, also had [a] little suffering [due to] sickness. [In his] mind, [he] suspected that of [the] sūtras [he] translated, [there] were perhaps mistakes.

[Note 1: If yet to be fully enlightened, even a Great Master with prolific Dharma works might have some doubts of his efforts, what more others like us. However, what we should learn is how to overcome such doubts, with the principles below.]

有菩萨安慰言：「汝往劫罪报，悉于此小苦消之，勿怀疑也。」

[There] was [a] Bodhisattva [who came to] console [him by] saying, ‘[As] your past kalpas’ transgressions’ retribution, [are] all with [experience] of this little suffering [being] eliminated, [do] not doubt.’

[Note 2: The suffering was with his past karma as the cause, similar to the transformation of heavier retribution with later retribution, as present retribution with lighter retribution, at this time, with it (manifesting and) ending (宿业所致，殆转重报后报为现报轻报，于此时以了之乎).

As long as there is continual practice of what is right, for example, with sincere repentance (忏悔), mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) and dedication of merits (回向), all present suffering is definitely from past negative heavier karma being more lightly experienced (重业轻受). This is so as mindfulness of Buddha practice eliminates karmic obstacles (念佛消业障).]

当以此意安慰汝母，劝彼生欢喜心，勿生怨恨心，则决定可蒙佛加被。

[You] should with this meaning console your Mother, encourage her [to] give rise [to the] joyful mind, [and] not give rise [to a] resentful mind. Then, [she] can definitely receive [the] Buddha’s blessings and protection.

[Note 3: This joyful mind should be with joyful faith (信乐) when being mindful of Amitā(bha) Buddha’s name (i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) sincerely, so as to connect to him for the benefits above.]

寿未尽而速愈，寿已尽而往生耳。

[If her] lifespan [is] yet [to] exhaust, then [will there be] quick healing. [If her] lifespan [is] already exhausting, then [will there be quick] rebirth [in his Pure Land with wholehearted mindfulness of his name (Āmítuófó)].

[Note 4: To have a win-win situation, of having either swift rebirth in Pure Land or healing here, there should only be wholehearted Aspiration (愿) to reach Pure Land when mindful of the Buddha. This is so as if death is inevitable, there will be reaching of Pure Land for complete and lasting healing there, if healing is no longer possible here. If there is wish for healing here only, and if death is inevitable, there will neither be reaching of Pure Land nor healing here. This becomes a lose-lose situation.]

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师文钞》（正编）：复周孟由昆弟书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Reply Letter [To] Zhōu Mèngyóu’s Brothers;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百九十九则）：四、论生死事大：丙、示临终切要（第九则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (199th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Third, Guidance [On When] Approaching [Life’s] End’s Definite Essentials (9th Short Section)
[Ref: #199 / 4.3.9]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an

相关典籍
Related Text:

《印光大师文钞菁华录》
Record Of Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence
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