死能可悲,亦能可幸
[178] Death [Is] Able [To Be] Lamentable, Also Able [To Be] Fortunate
古人云:「死生亦大矣,可不悲哉!」窃谓徒悲究有何益?须知生死,大事也。信愿念佛,大法也。
Ancient ones say, ‘[As] deaths [and] births [are] too great, how [are they] not lamentable?’ With due respect saying, [if] only lamenting, in the end, [this] has what benefits? [There] must [be] knowing [that] birth [and] death, [are] great matters. [With] Faith [and] Aspiration mindful [of the] Buddha[‘s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), this is the] great Dharma.
[Note 1: There should not be endless lamenting on impending death with uncertain rebirth, which serves no useful purpose, while wasting time (i.e. life) and energy. There should be diligent learning and sincere practice of the Dharma Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha (念佛法门) instead, so as to be reborn in Pure Land (净土), to be liberated from otherwise endless saṃsāric rebirths.]
既知死之可悲,当于未死之前,修此大法。
Since knowing [the] lamentablity of death, [there] should be, [when] before, yet [to] die, cultivation [of] this great Dharma.
[Note 2: With life being unpredictable, while death is always approaching and able to occur suddenly, there should be swift learning and practice of mindfulness of Buddha in time – now.]
则死不但无可悲,且大可幸也。何以故?以净业成熟,仗佛慈力,直下往生西方极乐世界。
Then [is] death, not only without [that] lamentable, moreover definitely can [there be good] fortune. Why is [this] thus? With pure karma ripening, relying [on the] Buddha’s loving-kindness’ power, directly reborn [in his] Western [Pure] Land [Of] Ultimate Bliss.
[Note 3: Pure karma (净业) is mainly from the Main Practice (正行) of mindfulness of Buddha.]
超凡入圣,了生脱死。得以永离众苦,但受诸乐。渐次进修,直至成佛而后已也。
Transcending [the] ordinary [to] enter [the] noble, liberating [from the cycle of] birth [and] death. To be able to forever depart [from] all [kinds of] suffering, [and] only receive all [kinds of] bliss. Gradually advancing [in] cultivation, directly until accomplishing Buddhahood thereafter.
[Note 4: This graduated advance is actually still the swiftest possible, as this Pure Land, having the best teachers, learning environment and means, is the most efficient Dharma school in the universe.]
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》(三编):饬终津梁跋;
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Third Compilation): Afterword [Of] ‘Bridge [With] Admonitions [For The] End’;
印光大师文钞菁华录(第一百七十八则):三、示修持方法:己、勉行人努力(第九则)
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (178th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Sixth, Encouragement Of Practitioners To Strive Diligently (9th Short Section)
[Ref: #178 / 3.6.9]
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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