A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
27. The Contemplation Sutra - Becoming a Good Person by Reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name to Eradicate Offenses
27.4 Question : Some say, “Although those on the lowest level among the three grades committed evil deeds during their lives, at the time of death they were mentally clear enough to be able to accept the guidance of good teachers. Based on this, is being clear-minded at the moment of death a necessary condition for rebirth in the Pure Land. If someone is unconscious at death or dies in their sleep, even if they recited Amitabha Buddha’s Name during their lives, can they not be reborn?”
Answer: In Dharmakāra Bhikṣu’s 48 vows, the requirement for rebirth is expressed simply as “even ten recitations,” with no further requirements at the moment of death. Whether one is reborn or not depends solely on Amitabha Buddha’s Original Vow—it is the only true standard.
Those of the lowest level had never heard the Dharma during their lives, and if just before death they were also unable to hear it, they would surely fall into the evil realms. Even for such ordinary beings, if good friends assist them in reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name while they are suffering, they are still able to attain rebirth.
By comparison, those who can hear the Dharma during their lives, reflect upon it, accept it with faith, and practice accordingly, possess far greater roots of goodness and more favorable karmic conditions.
Therefore, we should not add the new condition of “being mentally clear at the time of death.” If, during people’s lives, they know that they are being saved by Amitabha and continually recite the Buddha’s Name, those recitations become their : deep karmic cause, habitual karma, and one’s karma of assured rebirth; their rebirth is assured during this very life.”
Amitabha Buddha will surely come to welcome such people. With his compassionate support, regardless of the circumstances of death, they will definitely attain rebirth in the Pure Land.
27. 《觀經》稱名除罪成善男子
27.4 問：有人說，「下品三生雖然平時造罪，但臨終都能頭腦清醒地接受善知 識勸導。所以，臨終清醒是往生的必要條件，若臨終昏迷或死於睡夢中，即使 平時念佛也不得往生」，是這樣嗎？
答：法藏比丘四十八願中約定眾生如何念佛，說「乃至十念」，不限臨終。往生 與否，彌陀本願是唯一標準。下品人平生未聞佛法，臨終再不得聞，必墮惡 道。如此劣機，苦迫中善友助念亦得順利往生，與此相比，平生能夠聞法思 維、信受奉行的人，善根、法緣更為殊勝。所以，並非增加一個「臨終清醒」的
條件。心知被救而相續念佛，念佛已成重業、習業、正定之業，所謂「平生業 成」，阿彌陀佛必定來迎，慈悲加佑，無論何緣而終，盡得往生。
Namo Amituofo!
