已年老，该如何？
[When] Already Old, What Should [Be Done]?
汝父年高，当令即刻通身放下，一心念佛，求生西方。
[As] your father’s age [is already] old, [he] should immediately [be with his] whole body put down, [to] wholeheartedly [be] mindful [of the] Buddha[‘s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), to] seek birth [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)].
念时须心中念得清楚，口中念得清楚，耳中听得清楚。即不开口，心中默念，亦须字字句句，听得清楚。以心一起念，即有声相。自己之耳，听自己心中之声，仍是明明朗朗。
When reciting, [there] must [be], within [the] mind, reciting [that] must [be] clear, within [the] mouth, reciting [that] must [be] clear, within [the] ears, listening [that] must [be] clear. Even if not opening [the] mouth, [with the] mind within silently reciting, [there] also must [be with] word [to] word, line [to] line, listening [that] must [be] clear. With [the] mind together reciting, then having sound’s form. [With the] ears of oneself, listening [to the] sound of oneself within [the] mind, [that] is still loud [and] clear.
能常听得清楚，则心归一处，神不外驰。故眼也不他视，鼻也不他齅，身也不放逸，故名「都摄六根」。
[If] able [to] constantly [be with] listening [that] must [be] clear, then [will the] mind return [to] one place, [with the] consciousness not [towards that] outside chasing. Thus [with the] eyes also not [at] others looking, [the] nose also not [at] others smelling, [and the] body also not lax, thus [is this] named ‘gathering all six roots.’
[Note: With the tongue root (舌根) not used for tasting anything, it is effectively ‘disabled’, thus also gathered with the other five roots above.]
如此念佛，名为「净念」。以摄心于佛号，则杂念虽尚未全无，然已轻减多多矣。
Like this mindful [of the] Buddha, [with his] name as ‘pure mindfulness.’ With gathering of [the] mind with [the] Buddha’s name, then [even if with] mixed thoughts, although still yet [to be] completely without [them], however [with them] already lightened [and] reduced [by] very much.
若能常常「相继」，便可浅得一心不乱，深则得念佛三昧矣。
If able [to] often [be with] ‘continuous succession’, then can [that] shallow attain wholeheartedness without [being] scattered, [that] deep then attain Samādhi [From] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha.
此系平日勖令专心致志之要义。日日常作将往生想，心中不留一事。
This [is] connected [to, in] ordinary days, enjoining [to] enable [the] essential meaning of [having the] focused mind [with] devotion. Every day constantly having [the] thought [of] going [to be] reborn, [with the] mind within not retaining one [other] matter.
有宜交代者，即预交代之。子孙有宜问者，即预问之。待至临终，则全家念佛。无一事可问，亦无一事交代，大家同声念佛。
[If] having those [which] should [be] handed over, immediately, in advance hand over them. [If] children [and] grandchildren have those [which] should [be] asked, immediately, in advance ask them. Waiting until approaching [life’s] end, then [with the] whole family reciting [the] Buddha[‘s name]. Without one matter [that] can [be] asked, also without one matter [to] hand over [then], everyone [should] together [with the] same voice recite [the] Buddha[‘s name].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《复夏寿祺居士书》
Reply Letter [To] Layperson Xià Shòuqí
Namo Amituofo : Translation and note by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
《大佛顶首楞严经大势至菩萨念佛圆通章》
The Great Buddha Crown’s Śūraṅgama Sūtra’s Section On Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s Perfect Penetration With Mindfulness Of Buddha
https://purelanders.com/yuantong
如何作往生想？
How To Have Thought Of Being Reborn In Pure Land?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2019/03/how-to-have-thought-of-being-reborn-in-pure-land
