病重念佛不祈寿
[197] [Be] Mindful [Of] Buddha [When] Seriously Sick Without Praying [For] Longevity
至于为人助念，何可为念观音，又为祈寿乎。
As for others [having] support-chanting, how can [it be] with mindfulness [of] Guānyīn [Bodhisattva’s name], also for [them] praying [for] longevity?
[Note 1: Such support-chanting is for those already severely sick and possibly dying. Not that there cannot be mindfulness of the Bodhisattva’s name then, as she is one of the key Bodhisattvas who also receives and guides (接引) beings practising with Faith and Aspiration (信愿) to reach Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land (净土), (though her name is longer and thus harder to recite when weak), but there should not be praying for longevity, as it might not be possible then.]
念佛，寿未尽亦能延生。念观音，则无求往生之心念。
[Being] mindful [of Amitā(bha)] Buddha[‘s name: Āmítuófó, if] lifespan [is] yet [to] exhaust, [is] also able [to] extend life. [Being] mindful [of] Guānyīn [Bodhisattva’s name, is] then [often] without the mind’s thought of seeking rebirth [in Āmítuófó’s Pure Land].
[Note 2: The latter is so as as she is by many more often associated with saving from suffering, including from death; less associated with rebirth with Pure Land.]
若寿已尽，则误事。非念佛定死，念观音定不能往生。
If lifespan [is] already exhausting, [this] then bungles [the] matter [of reaching Pure Land. It is] not that [those] mindful [of the] Buddha [will] definitely die, [or that those] mindful [of] Guānyīn [Bodhisattva will] definitely not [be] able [to be] reborn [in Pure Land].
[Note 3: If without the corresponding Aspiration to reach Pure Land, it cannot be reached. Yet, if healing is still possible, there can be healing first.]
然痴人以无求往生之心念之，故亦只成误事之一种业感也。
However, ignorant persons [are] with [the] mind’s thought without seeking of rebirth [in Pure Land], thus also only accomplishing a [lesser] kind of karmic result, bungling [the] matter [of reaching Pure Land].
无量光，即消灾。无量寿，即延寿。
[With Āmítuófó’s] immeasurable light, immediately eliminated [are] disasters. [With Āmítuófó’s] immeasurable life, immediately extended [is] life.
[Note 4: Āmítuófó’s light when connected to eliminates disasters in this life by healing, or by offering immeasurable well-being (with lasting healing) when reaching his Pure Land. Āmítuófó’s life when connected to extends life in this life by healing, or by offering immeasurable life when reaching his Pure Land.]
念阿弥陀佛，极功尚能成佛，岂不能延寿而令速死乎？
[If] mindful [of] Āmítuófó[‘s name, with the] ultimate skills, [is] even able [to] accomplish Buddhahood, how can it not [be] able [to] extend life, yet enable quick death?
[Note 5: Even upon reaching Pure Land, there will still be the practice of mindfulness of Buddha, among other practices, to expedite progress towards Buddhahood.]
[Note 6: If lifespan is already exhausting, with mindfulness of the Buddha with the right Aspiration, there will be swift rebirth in Pure Land, so as to be free from needless pain and suffering.]
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）：答卓智立居士问；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Answer [To] Layperson Zhuō Zhìlì’s Question;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百九十七则）：四、论生死事大：丙、示临终切要（第七则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (197th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Third, Guidance [On] When Approaching [Life’s] End’s Definite Essentials : (7th Short Section)
[Ref: #197 / 4.3.7]
（师于答辞中，痴人二字旁，抹三笔以警。后死者，切勿自误也。）
(Within [the] master’s reply’s words, [by the] side [of the] two words ‘ignorant persons‘, [he] drew three strokes as [a] warning. Those dying later, must not personally [make this] mistake.)
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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