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 46:
For assisted-recitation, which of the following is better - chanting or reciting, six syllables or 4 syllables?
Answer: It depends on what the dying person prefers. Generally speaking, reciting (spoken) is easier on the mind, breath, and energy than chanting (melodic); which is harder for someone who is seriously ill or near death, due to their weakened breath and mental strength. So recitation is more suitable.
As for the form: the six-syllable version (“Namo Amituofo”) is more complete, while the four-syllable version (“Amituofo”) is more concise and quicker. Near the moment of death, when time is critical and conditions are urgent, the four-syllable version is sufficient without insisting on the full name. At other times, when the situation is calmer, the six-syllable version is more complete and preferable.
46問：助念時，唱念、稱念，六字、四字，何者為勝？
答：以臨終人喜愛為準。一般而言，稱念比唱念省心、省氣、省力，病重、臨 終之人氣息不足，心力衰弱，唱念難以跟進，宜用稱念。六字比四字完整， 四字比六字急促；正命終前後稱念四字，因形勢急促，不必求佛號完整；其 餘時間情勢緩和，即稱念六字，較為圓滿。
Namo Amituofo!
