General Confusion and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters seeking Rebirth - By Master Jingzong
淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識
#12 - “You can be more confident in being reborn by relying on a good advisor to assist with recitation near the end-of-life.” Is this true?
Comment:
Master Shandao labeled the primary practice of name-recitation as the Karma of Assurance. So, as long as you exclusively practice Amitabha-recitation in the present life, you are assured of rebirth, even without someone to assist your recitation near the end-of-life.
However, regarding assisted recitation, Master Yinguang said, “This method was invented by Master Shandao of the Tang dynasty. Those who do not recite Amitabha’s name in the present life can follow this method to attain rebirth.
Master Shandao was an incarnation of Amitabha. By practicing this method, one will gain great and deep benefits. I hope all those who learn about this method can believe in it, and advise others to believe. The merit and virtues of doing so are immeasurable. Those who are practitioners should not look down upon those people who do not practice. “If a non-practitioner, who is near the end-of-life, learns of this teaching and believes in it through the guidance of a good advisor; he may receive or practice assisted recitation with family members or others. In this way he or she can release all attachment and hatred and be reborn.”
There are two kinds of people who need assisted recitation, one being those who have not recited Amitabha’s name in the present life, and the other being those who have not recited exclusively; but, mixed the recitation of Amitabha’s name with other assorted practices.
淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識
其十二 - “臨終要靠人助念往生才有把握。” 是嗎?
答:
善導大師以念佛作為往生“正定之業”,你只要平時專修念佛,即使臨終沒人助念,也肯定可以往生!
印光大師談到助念法時說:“此法乃唐善導和尚所發明,謂平日不念佛者,依此法助念,亦可往生。善導和尚,彌陀化身。是知此法,利益宏深。普願見聞,咸生正信;輾轉勸導,功德無量。勿道向來做工夫,即向不做工夫之人,臨終果能聞善知識開導,及他人助念,自己隨之念,左右眷屬善巧將護,不使其起情愛及瞋恨心,皆可往生。”
臨終助念法,對於兩種人有必要:一是平時不念佛的。二是平時雖然念佛,但是又不專門念佛雜行雜修的人,一定是要助念的。
Namo Amituofo!
