将老死，该如何？
[When] Old [And] About [To] Die, What Should [Be Done]?
汝已七十多岁，不久就要死了。现在就要把一切事，通安顿好。
You [are] already more [than] seventy years [old]. Not long [later, you] will [be] dying. Now, [you] must have all matters, all settled well.
心里头除过念佛外，别无一件事挂牵，则临终时，方可无挂无碍。
In [your] mind, besides mindfulness [of] Buddha, without another one matter worrying [and] hanging, then when approaching [life’s] end, then can [you be] without worries [and] without obstacles.
若现在还是样样放不下，看不开，则临命终时，所有贪恋衣服、首饰、房屋、子孙之心，通通现前，如何能够往生西方？
If now, [you] still are [with] all kinds [of things] not put down, not seen [through] clearly, then when approaching [life’s] end, [for] all having [the] mind of greedy attachment, [to] clothing, jewellery, house, children [and] grandchildren, [with] all manifesting [in the] present, how [can you be] able [to be] reborn [in the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss]?
既不能生西方，则汝一生守节念佛，及所作种种有益之事，完全成了福报了。
Since not able [to be] born [in the] Western [Pure Land], then [will] your one life’s steadfastness [in] integrity [with] mindfulness [of] Buddha, and those all kinds of matters having benefits done, totally become blessed rewards completely.
汝现在尚无智慧，虽常精勤念佛，心中尚不决定求生西方。到了来生享福的时候，决定被福所迷，便要造诸恶业。
You now [are] still without wisdom, although constantly diligent [with] mindfulness [of] Buddha, [your] mind within still [does] not definitely seek birth [in the] Western [Pure Land]. Reaching [the] future life, when enjoying blessings, definitely by blessings those confused, [you] will then create many evil karmas.
既造恶业，必定就要堕于地狱、饿鬼、畜生中受苦了。此种大苦，皆是现世念佛，不知决定求生西方之所感召的。
Since [having] created evil karmas, [you] definitely will fall into [the paths of] hell[-beings], hungry ghosts [and] animals within [to] receive suffering. These kinds [of] great suffering, all are [from this] present life’s mindfulness [of] Buddha, not knowing [to] definitely seek birth [in the] Western [Pure Land], by that attracted.
光怜悯汝，恐汝后来或成此种景况，故预为汝设法。汝若肯依我所说，就不会因福得祸。现在虽很强健，就要做就要死了想。凡现在要穿的衣服，留到穿。凡绸缎皮袄等贵重衣服，均分与孙媳等。首饰、臂钏、耳坠及金银、翡翠等，通通救济灾民，以此功德，回向往生。若心中见识小，舍不得赈灾，亦须分与女儿、孙媳、孙女等。自己身边，决不可留此种令人起贪恋的东西。所有存款，为防养老者，亦须交与孙子。即田地契志等，亦须交代的干干净净。
老病皆放下，只提起佛号
[194] Let Go [Of] All [When] Old [And] Sick, Only Picking Up [The] Buddha’s Name
汝心里除念佛外，不使有一点别的念头，连汝这个身子，也不预计死后作只么样安顿，连孙子、重孙等，都要当做素不相识之人，不管他们长长短短，只管念我的佛，一心盼着佛来接引我往生西方。
[Of] your mind within, other [than] mindfulness [of the] Buddha[‘s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛)], [do] not enable [it to] have one bit of other [kinds of] thoughts. Even [of] your this body, also not [needing to] plan in advance [about] after death, [on] what [to] do [to] settle [it]. Even [of your] grandchildren, great-grandchildren [and] others, all must [be] regarded as people formerly not acquainted with, not paying attention [to] them [at] length [and in] brief. Only pay attention [to] my mindfulness [of the] Buddha, wholeheartedly hoping for [the] Buddha [to] come, [to] receive [and] guide] me, [to be] reborn [in his] West[ern Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界)].
[Note 1: These are teachings for someone already very old, and probably very sick too, who should only be focused on sincere practice for reaching Pure Land then. If there is time, there can be instructions on how to handle the body, aiming for little hassle and low cost. However, since the body will be useless after departure, how it will be handled eventually should not be a matter of great concern. Family members especially already attached to should not be further attached to. This is for the greater good of all, so as to be more wholeheartedly mindful of the Buddha, to reach his Pure Land, to be better equipped to help them later.]
汝能照我所说的做，一切事通通放下，到了临命终时，自然感佛亲垂接引，往生西方。若是仍旧贪恋一切好东西，及银钱、房屋、首饰、衣服，并儿女孙曾等，则万万也不会生西方了。
You, [if] able [to] accord [with] that I [have] said [to] do, [of] all matters entirely letting [them] go, when reaching, approaching life’s end, [you will] naturally connect [to the] Buddha, [who will] personally approach, [to] receive [and] guide [you, to be] reborn [in his] Western [Pure Land]. If still greedily attached [to] all ‘good’ things, and silver money, house, jewellery, clothes, also sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren [and] others, [you will] thus absolutely also not [be] able [to be] born [in his] Western [Pure Land].
[Note 2: No matter where reborn in, none of the above worldly things can be brought along. Even worldly relationships will be forgotten, unless reborn as a ghost or god who can recollect past lives for a while. Upon reaching of Pure Land, none of the worldly ‘good’ things will be needed, while there will be spiritually best versions available, that best express the Dharma. All past lives’ relationships will be remembered, which will motivate further sincere Dharma practice, so as to have skilful means to guide them to Pure Land too.]
西方既不生，则下世决有痴福可享。因享福而造业，定规一气不来，堕落三途。
[In the] Western [Pure Land] since not born, then [in the] next life, definitely having deluded blessings [that] can [be] enjoyed. Because [of] enjoying blessings, then creating [evil] karmas. [As a] definite rule, [with] one breath not coming, falling [into the] three [lower] realms.
[Note 3: The above sequence of ‘rise’ and fall is due to the problem of three lifetimes’ grievances (三世怨): https://purelanders.com/2022/07/25/verse-on-immeasurable-blessings-verse-on-three-lifetimes-grievances.]
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》（续编）：示周余志莲法语；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Dharma Words [Of] Guidance [For] Zhōu-Yú Zhìlián;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百九十四则）：四、论生死事大：丙、示临终切要（第四则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (194th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Third, Guidance [On] When Approaching [Life’s] End’s Definite Essentials : (4th Short Section)
[Ref: #194 / 4.3.4]
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
https://purelanders.com/jinghualu
