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 67: Does this mean that no matter who the person is, as long as others assist by reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, they can be reborn in the Pure Land?
Answer : If someone assists by reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, the possibility of rebirth in the Pure Land is very great; but, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will attain rebirth. Assisted recitation works best when the dying person also recites Namo Amitabha Buddha; only in this way can rebirth be achieved.
Even if others recite to assist, if the receiver has shallow good roots and deep karmic obstructions; is unwilling to be reborn, and does not recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, then rebirth cannot be attained.
However, even if rebirth is not achieved, at the moment of death if the person hears even a single recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha, this at least ensures that the person will not fall into one of the three evil realms. Therefore, the merits and benefits are still inconceivable.
67問：這麼說來，不論何人，只要助念，都能往生淨土，是嗎？
答：有人助念的話，往生的可能性非常大，但也不能保證個個都能往生。所 謂助念，是助他本人念佛，這樣才能往生。雖有他人助念，如其本人善根 淺、業障深，不願往生、不念佛，也不能往生。不過，即使沒能往生，但臨 命終時，一句佛號一歷耳根，至少保證不至墮落三惡道。所以其功德利益 也是難思的。
Namo Amituofo!
