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
48. Question:
Can a recitation device (Nianfo machine) replace the in person assistance of fellow practitioners during assisted recitation? Under what circumstances is it acceptable to substitute with a machine?
Answer:
The power of a human mind and its responsiveness is great. A Nianfo machine can serve as a supportive aid ; but, it cannot fully replace a person. Especially at the critical moment of death and immediately afterward, it is more beneficial for people to join together and recite with one heart and one voice. It is far from ideal to rely solely on a machine while no one recites in person.
The following five situations allow for temporary substitution with a Nianfo machine:
1. When no one is available to assist with recitation.
2. When those assisting are too exhausted to continue, and the dying person’s condition is still stable and not yet critical.
3. When the dying person has full confidence in their own rebirth and does not require assistance.
4. After at least eight hours of recitation for the deceased.
5. When it is confirmed that the deceased has already been reborn in the Pure Land.
48問：念佛機能否代替蓮友助念？在什麼情況下可以代替？
答：人的心力感應大，念佛機可做助緣，但不能完全代替人。特別正當 命終前後，更要眾人同心齊聲稱念，萬不可人不念、只用念佛機念。
下面五種情形可用念佛機暫代：
一、無人助念。
二、助念人過於困乏，難以持續；病者尚平穩，不甚危急。 三、臨終者自己有把握，不必人助念。
四、亡者助念至少八小時之後。
五、亡者確已往生。
Namo Amituofo!
