August 13, 2026

Aug. 13, 2026 

Master Huijing’s Short Teaching about Pure Land Buddhism (I) 

淨土短文 (一) 

22. The Samadhi of Amitabha-recitation does not involve stages of spiritual attainment, nor does it proceed step by step through graded levels. In a single leap, we directly enter the Tathagata's Dharma-gate of Ultimate Reality (True Suchness). 

As it is said: "It eradicates the deluded thoughts accumulated over countless kalpas, without passing through Asaṃkhyeya eons to attain the Dharma-body." 

The Great Treatise states: "Samadhi is simply a Dharma in which the mind is in accord. Dharani is also a Dharma associated with the mind; yet, it also has an aspect not dependent on the mind. This mind-independent aspect means that, when a person has heard and upheld the Dharani, even if anger arises in the mind, it is not lost. It constantly accompanies the person, just as a shadow follows the body." 

The Samadhi of Amitabha-recitation is: neither sudden nor gradual, neither provisional nor ultimate, neither meditative concentration nor distraction. Truly, it is a wondrous and inconceivably Great Way. 

The Samadhi of Amitabha-recitation is, for all sentient beings: 

● A medicine for those burdened by evil karma, 

● Protection for those who have broken the precepts, 

● A guide for those who have strayed from the path,

● Eyes for those wandering in blindness and darkness, 

● Wisdom for the foolish and ignorant, 

● And a lamp for those dwelling in darkness. 

22.念佛三昧，不涉地位，不落階梯，一超直入如來實相法門。所謂「銷我億劫顛倒想，不歷僧祇獲法身」。 

《大論》說：「三昧但是心相應法。陀羅尼亦是心相應，亦是心不相應。是心不相應者，如人得聞持陀羅尼，雖心瞋恚亦不失。常隨人行，如影隨形。」 念佛三昧，非頓非漸，非權非實，非定非散，誠是微妙難思之大道。 念佛三昧，是一切眾生：犯罪者藥，破戒者護，失道者導，盲冥者眼，愚癡者慧 ，黑闇者燈。 

Namo Amituofo! 

August 12, 2026

Aug. 12, 2026 

Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I) 

淨土釋疑(一) 

Question 43: 

Master, for a person whose faith remains unwavering, who has already been embraced and never forsaken by Amitabha Buddha’s unceasing light, and whose rebirth is decisively settled here and now, does such a person still need assisted recitation at the end of life? Is it still necessary to leave instructions for family members concerning end-of-life arrangements?

Answer to Q43: 

Certainly, for one who entrusts with faith, aspires to rebirth, and exclusively recites Namo Amitabha Buddha, rebirth is already assured. There is no need to wait for assisted recitation, or rely upon assisted recitation in order to attain rebirth. 

Those of us who exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, regularly associate with Dharma teachers, and fellow lotus friends; when the time of death arrives, it should be a lively and warm occasion, not one in which a person faces death alone. At that time, lotus friends may gather together for a final farewell. The dying person will also deeply feel that having received Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance is an immeasurably great blessing. Thus, for every remaining moment that the physical body is still alive, one naturally wishes to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha a few more times in gratitude for the Buddha’s boundless compassion and grace. 

When lotus friends join together in reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha at the bedside, it is itself a truly noble occasion. Moreover, it is not uncommon for extraordinary and inconceivably auspicious signs to appear at the time of death. If many lotus friends are present, rejoicing in the person's rebirth, such auspicious signs can inspire faith in those who have not yet believed. 

Often, a single auspicious sign can be more effective than years of Dharma lectures. People may listen to teachings for many years and still not believe; but, when an auspicious sign manifests before their eyes, they may find it impossible not to believe. 

43問：請問師父，信心不變的人，已得彌陀不斷光明的攝取不捨而當下決定了 往生的身份，不必等到臨終，也不必看臨終的善相、惡相、如何死去，這樣的 人臨終還須助念嗎？還須囑咐家人臨終事項嗎？

答：當然，信願念佛的人往生已經決定了，不必等待助念，不必依靠助念。 

我們念佛的人，經常親近師父、蓮友，在臨終的那個時候，應該是熱熱鬧 鬧的，不可能是獨單一個人。那個時候，蓮友相約，來作最後的告別，而臨終 的人這個時候一定也感到：蒙受彌陀的救度，這個恩德非常的重大，所以，肉 身存在的一分一秒，要多念幾句佛號報答佛恩。 

臨終之時，蓮友如果齊聲念佛，也是一件很殊勝的事情。而且往往人在臨 終的時候會有不可思議的瑞相產生，那個時候，如果很多蓮友聚集在那裏， 慶祝他的往生，在瑞相當中，容易使一些沒有相信的人產生信心。一個瑞相 往往比講經好幾年還有效果，講經好幾年人家不一定信，當下顯現一個瑞相 就不得不信了。 

Namo Amituofo!

August 11, 2026

Aug. 11, 2026 

Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation 

Part Three - - Amitabha-Recitation Near the End-of-Life 

念佛實用問答(3) - 臨終助念 

Answer to Q76 : (continued) 

The warm yet dignified atmosphere created by the recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha, not only brings comfort to the dying person; but, also helps ease the sorrow of separation felt by family members. More importantly, it nurtures their wholesome Dharma roots and strengthens their faith. Thus, it guides them to aspire for birth in the Pure Land, through the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha. 

Quite a number of people have come to believe in Buddhism and practice Buddha-recitation; after being deeply moved by the benefits of the Dharma, when fellow lotus friends came to recite for their deceased family members. 

For the lotus friends who participate in assisted recitation, it is likewise a valuable opportunity to offer compassion and loving care, while experiencing firsthand the

truth of impermanence. They will also witness Amitabha Buddha’s great compassionate deliverance in action, and deepen their appreciation of the Buddha’s grace.

76問： 

續答：溫情而莊嚴的念佛，不僅對臨終人是安慰，實際上更能免除家眷離別的 悲傷，增長他們的佛法善根及信心，引導他們也嚮往淨土、念佛往生。有不少 人就是因為有蓮友來為他們的家人念佛，受到佛法利益的感動而信佛念佛 的。 

對於來參加助念的蓮友來說，也是一次奉獻愛心、體驗無常、現場觀摩阿彌 陀佛大慈救度、感受佛恩的好機會。 

Namo Amituofo! 

August 10, 2026

Aug. 10, 2026 

Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation 

Part Three - - Amitabha-Recitation Near the time of Death

念佛實用問答(3) - 臨終助念 

Question 76: 

Although I recite Namo Amitabha Buddha in daily life, I am afraid that I may not be able to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. Can I arrange in advance for fellow lotus friends to come and assist with recitation at the time of my death? 

Answer to Q76 : 

Yes, you may arrange in advance for fellow lotus friends to assist with recitation. However, you should not think, “My rebirth through Nianfo is uncertain during ordinary times; only with assisted recitation can I attain rebirth.” 

Rather, you should firmly believe: “Whether or not there is assisted recitation, one who recites Namo Amitabha Buddha in daily life will definitely attain rebirth.” 

Nevertheless, due to the limitations of ordinary human feelings, a person at the end of life will naturally experience some loneliness and isolation. If family members neither believe in nor recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, they may handle matters according to worldly customs. They may be unable to understand the feelings of a Nianfo practitioner and act contrary to that person's wishes. This is always regrettable. 

At such a time, if fellow lotus friends come and recite Namo Amitabha Buddha together, one will feel greatly comforted and warmly supported. After all, they share the same faith, recite Namo Amitabha Buddha , and will be reborn in the 

same Pure Land in the future. Their bond is already close, and becomes even closer. To accompany one another at life's final moment, through the recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha, is a source of deep consolation and joy for both parties. 

(to be continued tomorrow)

76問：平日雖念佛，但恐不能往生，預先邀約蓮友至時來為助念，可以嗎？ 

答：可以預先邀約蓮友助念，但不要認為：平時念佛往生不定，必須助念才能 往生。應當深信：「不論有無助念，念佛決定往生！」 

但凡夫常情所限，臨終之時難免孤寂，如果家眷沒有信佛念佛，按世俗方式 處置，不能體諒念佛人的心情，違背念佛人的心願，總是很遺憾的事；而這時 如果有蓮友來一起念佛，就會倍覺安慰與溫暖。畢竟同一信仰，現在念同一 佛名，當來生同一淨土，親上又親，臨終相送，是令彼此很快慰的。

Namo Amituofo! 

August 9, 2026

Aug. 9, 2026 

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Grace of Deliverance 

慧淨法師之救恩法語(二)之愛的心語 

All kinds of beings in various realms of reincarnation, can be reborn in my land of joy. My compassionate heart constantly reaches out to sentient beings, to rescue them from all kinds of suffering. Being a great teacher of all human beings, Amitabha Buddha can deliver all people from the suffering of aging and death. (from the Sutra of adornment) 

輪迴諸趣眾生類，速生我剎受快樂。常運慈心拔有情，度盡阿鼻苦眾生。 為彼群生大導師，度脫老死令安穩。《莊嚴經》 

Namo Amituofo!

August 8, 2026

Aug. 8, 2026

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching asking “What does life look like?” 

慧淨法師之「人生之實相」 

Driven by boundless craving and desire, people pursue fleeting moments of pleasure and, in doing so, commit countless offenses. Yet, they are unwilling to seek the eternal and lasting bliss that is available to them. Such are the ways of the foolish and deluded. 

依無限之愛慾，追求剎那之快樂，而造種種無量罪惡，卻不願永遠之安樂，愚癡之人也。

Namo Amituofo!

August 7, 2026

Aug. 7, 2026

Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School 

淨土宗妙喻 

Metaphor 67: The Joy of the Third Dhyana (continued)

Those who commit the five gravest transgressions or slander the right Dharma deserve the greatest retribution, and should fall into Avici Hell when they are on the verge of death. However, if they recited Namo Amitabha Buddha, they are reborn in the Pure Land at once, thereby avoiding these painful karmic consequences. The lotus flower buds appear when they are about to fall into hell, and they are reborn inside the buds. Although there are three kinds of obstacles within the flower buds, the joy they experience there is still like entering the Third Dhyana. 

Master Shandao contrasts the extreme differences in joy and suffering in the Saha World to encourage us to seek rebirth in the Pure Land. What he means to tell us is that we should know that even in our lotus-palaces, we will experience joy comparable to the Third Dhyana, and our life in the Pure Land will always be better than that of beings who suffer the unspeakable torments in Avici Hell for countless eons. 

The text from the Nirvana Sutra is specially adapted and the reason for its adaptation is shown. Therefore, he says, “You ought to know”. 

Accordingly, what exactly is it that we should know? The answer is: the fact that, as long as we are reborn in the Pure Land, even if we have to stay in our lotus-palaces for a period of time, we will still be filled with joy as pleasant as the bliss experienced by meditators in the Third Dhyana. Besides, even if our lotus buds do not bloom for many kalpas , our life there will definitely be much better than that of beings in Avici Hell, who can only experience endless suffering and pain. 

As a matter of fact, when even sacred beings [such as the Great Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra] seek rebirth in the Land of Bliss, there is all the more reason for defiled beings to do so. No matter how we look at it, aspiring to rebirth in the Pure Land only benefits us. It is all pros and no cons. 

67. 三禪之樂喻 (續)

論五逆或誹謗正法的人，他所造的罪非常重，當他臨終的時候，就應該墮入 地獄受最大的苦報，可是因為念佛，當下往生極樂，免除這些痛苦的因果罪 報，花苞就是在臨終即將墮入地獄的這個時候現前的。雖然在花苞之內有三 種障，但是他所受的快樂依然如入第三禪，所以，善導大師就用娑婆世界最 快樂跟最痛苦的相比對，以之讓我們來瞭解二者的懸殊差別，勸導我們所有 眾生，無論如何都應該求生極樂世界。所以，在這裏特別隨義轉用《涅槃經》 之文，並顯示轉用原由，故說「應知」。 

又，「應知」什麼？應知即使在花苞之內，所受之樂還是如入三禪之樂，即使 在蓮花之中多劫不開，都遠遠勝過在阿鼻地獄之中的長時長劫受種種痛苦， 讓我們瞭解不管自己有罪無罪，都要往生極樂世界！無罪都要求生極樂世界 了，何況有罪，更要求生極樂世界，不管從那個角度來講，都是有百利而無一 害的。 

Namo Amituofo!