因无常迅速，急寻归西路
[179] As Impermanence [Comes] Swiftly, Urgently Seek [The] Western [Pure Land’s] ‘Return’ Route
光阴迅速，时序更迁，刹那刹那，一念不住。
Time [passes] swiftly, [with the] seasons’ sequence also [with] changes, [from] kṣaṇa [to] kṣaṇa, [for] one thought not abiding.
[Note 1: ‘From kṣaṇa to kṣaṇa’ is ‘from moment to moment’, or ‘from instant to instant’. A kṣaṇa, as the smallest unit of time, is a duration so brief that there are 90 kṣaṇas within one thought.]
此殆造物出广长舌，普为尔我一切众生说人命无常，荣华不久，急寻归路，免受沉沦之无上妙法耳。
This [is] probably creation’s objects extending [of their] broad [and] long tongues, universally for you, me [and] all sentient beings speaking [of] human life’s impermanence, [with its] glory [and] splendour not [for] long, [for us to] urgently seek [the] ‘return’ route [to the Western Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界), with the] unsurpassable wonderful Dharma [Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha (念佛法门), to] avoid receiving [of] sinking [in suffering’s ocean (苦海)].
[Note 2: The seasons’ changes can be seen as nature constantly and extensively speaking the truth of life’s impermanence, to remind us to earnestly learn and practise in time, for reaching Pure Land (净土). As we have yet to reach Pure Land, to ‘return’ to it represents return to our Buddha-nature (佛性) via further practice there.]
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）：示某比丘尼；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Guidance [To A] Certain Bhikṣuṇī;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百七十九则）：四、论生死事大：甲、警人命无常（第一则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (179th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: First, Warnings [On] Human Life’s Impermanence (1st Short Section)
[Ref: #179 / 4.1.1]
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
