中阴受生之法
[286] Methods Of [The] Intermediate Aggregates Receiving Rebirth
死之已后，尚未受生于六道之中，名为「中阴」。
Of [those] after death, still yet [to] receive birth within those six paths, [they are] named as ‘intermediate aggregates’.
[Note 1: Intermediate Aggregates (中阴): Bardo (i.e. intermediate) state’s beings with mental consciousnesses (i.e. mental aggregates) only, without physical bodies, who exist between the transpired death and the next rebirth. If not delivered or liberated in time, these beings usually take rebirth within 49 days.]
[Note 2: Six Paths (六道): (i) Hell Path (地狱道), (ii) Hungry Ghost Path (饿鬼道), (iii) Animal Path (畜生道), (iv) Human Path (人道), (v) Asura Path (阿修罗道), (vi) Heavenly Path (天道).]
若已受生于六道中，则不名中阴。
If already [having] received birth within [the] six paths, then [are they] not named [as] intermediate aggregates.
其附人说苦乐事者，皆其神识作用耳。
Those [who] possess people [to] speak [of] suffering [and] joyful matters, [are] all [with] their consciousnesses functioning only.
投生，必由神识与父母精血和合。
Rebirth must [be] due [to the] consciousness, with [the] father [and] mother’s sperm [and] blood harmoniously converging.
是受胎时，即已神识住于胎中。
When [there] are [those who have] become pregnant, [this is] then already [with the] consciousness abiding within [the] womb.
生时，每有亲见其人之入母室者，乃系有父母交媾时，代为受胎。迨其胎成，本识方来，代识随去也。
When [being] born, often is [there] personally seeing [of] that person [i.e. being reborn], [with] entering of [the] mother’s room. [This is] thus connected [to], when [the] father [and] mother had sexual intercourse, [having another being’s consciousness acting on that person’s] behalf for becoming pregnant. Until that unborn child’s [body is] formed, [the] main consciousness then comes, [to] replace [that] consciousness [who] then leaves.
[Note 3: This phenomenon is also called ‘snatching of the unborn child’ (夺胎), although it is not that the prior being’s consciousness was forcibly deprived of rebirth, but that the later being’s greater good karmas naturally deserve the efficient rebirth, without being uncomfortably trapped in the ‘womb’s prison’ (胎狱) for nine months.
The prior being was as if karmically ‘in charge’ of growing the body well for hosting the later being’s consciousness, before moving on for a complete rebirth when ‘pushed out’.
Most ordinary beings are indeed trapped in wombs from the beginning to the end, before being born from them, not capable of experiencing the above. The Buddhist explanation of birth’s suffering (生苦) includes the suffering of discomfort in the womb too, not just the suffering from being born.]
圆泽之母，怀孕三年，殆即此种情事耳。
[On the] mother of [Chán Master] Yuánzé [圆泽禅师], [who was] pregnant [for] three years, [her case is] similar then, [to] this kind [of] circumstances.
此约常途通论，须知众生业力不可思议。
This [is] restricted [to the] common path’s detailed explanation, [while it] must [be] known [that] sentient beings’ karmas’ power [is] inconceivable.
如净业已成者，身未亡而神现净土。
Like those [with] pure karmas already accomplished, [when their] bodies [are] yet [to] die, yet [their] consciousnesses [already] appear [in the] Pure Land.
恶业深重者，人卧病而神婴罚于幽冥，命虽未尽，识已投生。迨至将生，方始全分心神附彼胎体。
[Like] those [with evil] karmas deep [and] heavy, [as] persons lying down [with] sicknesses, yet [their] consciousnesses’ ‘babies’ [are already being] punished in [the] netherworld. [With] life although yet [to] end, [their] consciousnesses [are] already ‘reborn’. Waiting until about [to be] born, just then [with] complete parts [of the] mind’s consciousness attaching [to] that unborn child’s body.
此理固亦非全无也。当以有代为受胎者，为常途多分耳。
[On those with] these principles, [it is] certainly also not completely without [them. However], those with [others] acting [on their] behalf [when] becoming pregnant, is [the] common path [for] most [i.e. great practitioners (大修行者)].
三界诸法，唯心所现。众生虽迷，其业力不思议处，正是心力不思议处，亦是诸佛神通道力不思议处。
[The] three realms’ all dharmas, [are] only [with the] mind, [with] that appearing. Sentient beings, although [are] confused, their karmas’ power’s inconceivable part, precisely is [their] mind power’s inconceivable part, [which] is also [with] all Buddhas’ supernormal path power’s inconceivable part.
[Note 4: Three Realms (三界): (i) Desire Realm (欲界), (ii) Form Realm (色界), (iii) Formless Realm (无色界).]
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）：复范古农书二；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Second Reply Letter [To] Fàn Gǔnóng;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百八十六则）：八、释普通疑惑：论中阴（第六则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (286th Short Section): 8th [Chapter]: Explanations [On] Common Doubts [And] Confusions: Discussion [On] Intermediate Aggregates (6th Short Section)
[Ref: #286 / 8.6]
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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