Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
163 -The Three Followings at the Time of Death (continued)
3. Following Thoughts :
If someone neither accumulated significant good or evil karma nor had fixed habits; but, at the time of death his/her mind is especially focused on a certain object or realm, then he/she will be reborn accordingly. For example, if at the final moment he/she single-mindedly contemplates wholesome principles, then at the instant of death he/she may be reborn in heaven, or return as a human being to enjoy good fortune. However, if at the moment of death a sudden surge of intense anger or hatred arises, he/she is likely to fall into one of the three evil realms, or be reborn as a venomous snake or a fierce beast.
If a person did not study Buddhism or engage in practice during his/her lifetime; but, at the moment of death someone assists him/her through reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, this will arouse in him/her the thought of reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha. Then, at the time of death he will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. At that very moment, Amitabha Buddha, together with Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta, and the assembly of the pure ocean, will personally come to welcome him/her.
163 臨終三隨 (續)
「隨念」—–就是生時沒什麼重的善惡業，也沒有固定的習慣，但臨終之時 特別想念著某種境界，那麼，他就會去那種境界投胎轉世。比如臨終時非常 專一思惟善的道理，那麼他斷氣當下，就生天或繼續做人，來享受善的福報； 若斷氣的時候，突然生起非常瞋恨的念頭，往往都會墮入三惡道，或是做毒 蛇猛獸。
如果一個人生時沒有學佛、修行，但臨終時有人為他助念，引起他念佛的 心念，這樣他命終就往生極樂世界，而且阿彌陀佛也會率領著觀音、勢至等 清淨海眾，來迎接他。
Namo Amituofo!
