Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation
Part Three - Assisted-Recitation near the End-of-Life
第三部分 有關臨終助念
Question 35: As Amitabha-recitation is the karma of assurance, any person who recites the Buddha’s Name will be reborn. Why do we always talk about assisted recitation at the time of death?
Answer:
As said by Master Yinguang, “This method of assisted recitation at the time of death was initiated by Master Shandao of the Tang Dynasty. It is said that even those who did not chant the Buddha's name during their lifetimes can attain rebirth in the Pure Land through this method of assisted recitation.
It is evident that the practice of assisted recitation at the time of death is primarily aimed at those who did not ordinarily recite Amitabha Buddha's Name. Since they neither recited the Buddha's Name during their lifetimes nor at the time of death, they risk remaining entrapped in the cycle of rebirth.
At this critical moment, good friends are needed to guide and assist them, leading them in reciting Amitabha Buddha's Name together or for them. By following this practice, they too can attain rebirth in the Pure Land. If assisted recitation at the time of death can enable rebirth, then those who regularly recite Amitabha Buddha's Name are even more certain to achieve it.
This clearly demonstrates that reciting Amitabha Buddha's Name is the right and certain practice for rebirth. Among all who recite, all will succeed!
35問:既然念佛是正定業,任何人念佛都能往生,那為什麼還有臨終助念一說呢?
答:
如印光大師說:「此(臨終助念)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。」可知臨終助念主要是針對平日不念佛的人。
因為平日既不念佛,臨終再不念佛就要墮落輪迴了,所以這時就需要善友來開導幫助,帶領他一道念佛。他這時能隨著念佛,同樣往生。臨終助念都能往生,平時念佛的人就更能往生了。這也正說明念佛是往生正定業,萬修萬人去啊!
Namo Amituofo!
