Translations

[193] Have The Thought Of Being About To Die, Recite The Buddha’s Name To Seek Reception And Guidance 作将死想,念佛求接引

作将死想,念佛求接引
[193] Have [The] Thought [Of Being] About [To] Die,
 Recite [The] Buddha[‘s Name To] Seek Reception [And] Guidance

宜将一切家事,并自己一个色身,悉皆通身放下。以一尘不染心中,持万德洪名圣号,作将死想。除念佛求接引外,不令起一杂念。

[There] should be [with] all family matters, also [with] one’s physical body, all [of the] whole body let go [of]. With one [mote of] dust not defiling [the] mind within, upholding [the] ten thousand virtues’ great name’s sacred name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), have [the] thought [that you are] about [to] die. Other [than] reciting [the] Buddha[‘s name to] seek [his] reception [and] guidance, [do] not enable [the] giving rise [of] one mixed thought.

[Note 1: These instructions are for those possibly about to depart, who should not be attached to their bodily pains and discomfort, and other thoughts of attachment, aversion and delusion (贪嗔痴). When there is wholehearted mindfulness of the Buddha (一心念佛) only, thinking that it is time to depart, all these physical and mental distractions will naturally fall away.] 

能如是者,寿已尽,则决定往生西方,超凡入圣。

[Of] those able [to do] thus, [if their] lifespans [are] already ending, [they will] then definitely [be] reborn [in the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界), to] transcend [the] ordinary [and] enter [the] noble.

[Note 2: As there is mindfulness of the Buddha with the Three Provisions (三资粮) of Faith, Aspiration and Practice (信愿行): https://purelanders.com/2018/02/08/the-three-provisions, there will be exiting of all ordinary beings’ (凡夫) realms to enter and become noble beings (圣者) in his Pure Land (净土).]

寿未尽,则决定业消病愈,慧朗福崇。

[If their] lifespans [are] yet [to] end, [they will] then definitely [have their] ‘fixed’ karma eliminated [and] sicknesses healed, [with] wisdom bright [and] blessings high.

[Note 3: With the great meritorious virtues (功德) from mindfulness of the Buddha, even otherwise ‘fixed’ karma (定业) or heavy karma (重业) can be eliminated or lightened to effect healing, if this is still possible in this life. If not, there will be complete and lasting healing in the next life, in his Pure Land.]

[Note 4: With mindfulness of the Buddha, connecting to him, his wisdom light (智慧光) can shine through the darkness of our delusion to awaken our wisdom, and his blessings can be shared to increase our blessings.]

若不如是作念,痴痴然唯求速愈,不唯不能速愈,反更添病。即或寿尽,定随业漂沉,而永无出此苦娑婆之期矣。

If not thus having mindfulness, foolish thus, only seeking quick healing, [they will] not only [be] not able [have] quick healing, instead increasing [with] more sicknesses. Even if [their] lifespans end, [they will] definitely accord [with their] karma, drifting [and] sinking, and for [a] long time without [the] date of exiting this suffering Sahā [World].

[Note 5: There should not be pining for healing when very sick and possibly dying, for if healing is not longer possible here, such pining in vain will worsen (mental and) physical health. Since there is no Aspiration (愿) for birth in Pure Land when dying thus, one will only be karmically reborn elsewhere, still within ordinary beings’ realms, including lower realms. Thus, those very sick and dying should only be wholeheartedly mindful of the Buddha for reaching his Pure Land.]

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):与方圣胤书;
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Letter For Fāng Shèngyìn;
印光大师文钞菁华录(第一百九十三则):四、论生死事大:丙、示临终切要(第三则)
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (193rd Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Third, Guidance [On] When Approaching [Life’s] End’s Definite Essentials : (3rd Short Section)

[Ref: #193 / 4.3.3]

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

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