【中英专栏】所有的归宿中，投靠阿弥陀佛最有意义
人老了，投靠阿弥陀佛可能最有意义
Relying on Buddha Amitabha is the best way to cope with aging
A rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss entails not only Buddha Amitabha’s blessings but also our own deep faith and aspirations.
倘若自己都不愿意往生，纵然阿弥陀佛的加持不可思议，也不可能拽着头发把你拉到极乐世界去。
Even though Buddha Amitabha’s power is inconceivable, he will not drag an unwilling person by the hair to his Pure Land.
人老了，应该为自己寻找生命的归宿了。
As old age approaches, it’s time to determine one’s spiritual resting place.
而在所有的归宿中，投靠阿弥陀佛最有意义。
Among all the possibilities, seeking Buddha Amitabha’s protection makes the most sense.
在藏地，老人都能做到三不离：口不离佛号或心咒，左手不离念珠，右手不离转经轮。
In Tibet, old folks hold onto three things: a mantra or the Buddha’s name riding their breaths, malas* in their left hands, and prayer wheels in their right hands.
但汉地很多老人不是这样，
But for older Han people, it’s a different story.
他们离不开的是什么？想必大家都很清楚。
They only hold tightly to their family, money, good reputation and so on. In other words, they do not care to seek the Buddha’s protection.
或许有人以为，念佛只能在家里念，到外面就不能念了。
Some people may think that recitation of Buddha’s name can only be done in formal meditation and that it can’t be practiced when we are out and about.
其实并非如此，
But that’s not the case.
我们在行住坐卧中，都要做到念念不离佛号。
Rather, during all our activities of walking, standing, sitting or sleeping, our minds should never be separated from the Buddha’s name.
在《净土圣贤录》中，就讲过一则精彩的公案：
A wonderful account was told in Stories of Pure Land Sages:
清朝年间，杭州有一位出家人，平素喜欢吃冬瓜，被人们称为“冬瓜和尚”。
During the Qing Dynasty, there was a monk in Hangzhou who loved winter melons, earning him the nickname—the “Winter Melon Monk.”
冬瓜和尚平日少言寡语，
The Winter Melon Monk was a man of few words.
每天吃完饭后，就到街上边走边念佛，
Each day after his meal, he would go out, reciting the Buddha’s name while strolling on the village streets.
晚上回来后也念佛不辍。
Returning in the evening, he would continue his recitation.
如此寒暑不断十余年。
This went on for more than ten years.
他有一个朋友，叫慧照法师，
One of Winter Melon Monk’s friends was a Dharma teacher, Hui Zhao.
看他一天到晚在街上走来走去，总觉得他修行不太用功，但也不好说什么，
When seeing the monk constantly making rounds on the street, Hui Zhao felt the monk was not diligent enough but said nothing,
因为他的习惯就是如此。
knowing this was the monk’s ingrained habit.
一天， 冬瓜和尚对慧照法师说：“明年正月初六，我要往生极乐世界，
One day, Winter Melon Monk told Hui Zhao, “On January 6 next year, I am going to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
你能不能来送我？”
Could you come over to see me off?”
慧照法师根本不信，认为他是在开玩笑，但也勉强答应了。
Hui Zhao, though in doubt and thinking the monk was joking, consented nonetheless.
到了正月初六那天，慧照法师去他的寮房，结果冬瓜和尚不在，出去吃饭了。
On January 6, Hui Zhao stopped by Winter Melon Monk’s room but found no one there, as the monk was out for a meal.
慧照法师心想：“竟连一点准备都没有，还说要往生，哪有这回事！”
Hui Zhao thought, “This fellow makes no preparations whatsoever, yet he still proclaims an imminent journey to the Pure Land. How can this be?”
冬瓜和尚吃完饭回来，见到慧照法师，就问：“你来找我干什么？”
When Winter Melon Monk returned after his meal, he saw Hui Zhao waiting and asked, ”What brings you to my place?”
慧照法师回答：“你不是说正月初六要往生，还叫我来送吗？难道给忘了？”
Hui Zhao replied, “Don’t you remember telling me that you were going to the Pure Land on January 6? You asked me to see you off.”
冬瓜和尚一拍脑袋：“哎呀，多亏提醒，我还真差点忘了。”
Winter Melon Monk patted his own head and exclaimed, “Oh dear! Thanks for reminding me; I almost forgot.”
随即就沐浴更衣、
He proceeded to take a bath and change his clothes.
焚香礼佛，并对慧照法师说了一偈：
After lighting incense and prostrating to the Buddhas, he said a verse to Hui Zhao.
“终日走街坊，心中念佛忙，
“Wandering around in the neighborhood all day long, my mind, nonetheless, is engaged in reciting the Buddha’s name.
世人都不识，别有一天堂。”
Ordinary people cannot see my world, a heaven of exceptional beauty indeed.”
说完，便安然示寂了。
Having finished the verse, the Winter Melon Monk serenely passed away.
这位冬瓜和尚，表面上经常逛街，
Outwardly, this monk appeared to roam about the streets frequently,
但心里从来没有离开过念佛，佛号已融入了他的一切。
but inwardly, his mind never drifted away from reciting the Buddha’s name, which he melded into his very being.
一个人若能像他那样，时时处处不忘念佛，对阿弥陀佛有坚定不移的信心，
By following his example—that is, to be mindful of reciting Buddha’s name in all places and at all times and to generate invincible faith in Buddha Amitabha—
即使很愚笨，也能获得成就。
any person, even the very dull-witted, will attain accomplishment.
正如《二观察续》所言：“愚者具坚信，彼可获悉地。”
As it is said in Hevajra Tantra.† “With strong faith, even a fool will attain siddhis.” ‡
即使你不懂现代的尖端科技，
It does not matter if you do not know modern cutting-edge technology,
也不懂佛教的诸多道理，
or if you don’t comprehend many Buddhist doctrines.
但只要有一颗虔诚的信心，
What we are talking about here is a deep, devoted faith:
听到极乐世界的功德，
When you hear about the merit and adornment of the Pure Land,
百分之百诚信：“西方肯定有极乐世界，我一定要往生！”
you are one hundred percent convinced that west of here, there definitely exists a world called the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and you vow to be born in that land.
单凭这样的信心，也一定能得到大利益。
Having this strong conviction will work in your best interest.
毕竟，想要往生的话，除了要有阿弥陀佛的加持，更需要自己的深信发愿。
Remember, besides Buddha Amitabha’s blessing, rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss also entails having personal faith and vows.
倘若自己都不愿意往生，纵然阿弥陀佛的加持不可思议，也不可能拽着头发把你拉到极乐世界去。
If we don’t have the volition ourselves, it’s impossible for Buddha Amitabha, even with his inconceivable power, to drag us by the hair to his Pure Land.
* Malas are prayer beads
† Hevajra Tantra is an 8th century treatise on the theory and practice of Buddhism.
‡ Siddhi is Sanskrit term for spiritual accomplishments or supernatural powers. The ultimate siddhi is complete realization and enlightenment itself.
索达吉堪布《做，才是得到》
Khenpo Sodargye《Achieve by doing 》