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 72:
If these auspicious signs do not appear, does that mean one will not be reborn in the Pure Land?
Answer:
No, that is not the case. As long as one exclusively recites Namo Amitabha Buddha and possesses true faith and aspiration, rebirth in the Pure Land is definitely assured. This is so even if no special auspicious signs appear. In such a case, only Amitabha and the person being reborn know it; others do not.
Fundamentally speaking, rebirth is determined by the unfailing vow of Amitabha Buddha and has nothing to do with auspicious signs. However, beginners often find it difficult to give rise to complete faith in Amitabha Buddha’s words and vows. Therefore, visible auspicious signs are sometimes provisionally used to inspire and strengthen their faith.
72問：如果沒有上面這些瑞相，是不是就沒有往生淨土？
答：不是這樣！只要平時念佛、信願具足，雖然沒有特別的瑞相，也決定往
生。這就只有佛與往生人自己知道，他人不知了。從根本來說，往生決定 在佛願不虛，和瑞相無關。然而一般初學的人，對於佛語、佛願難以直接 起信，所以暫借眼前瑞相以啟發他們的信心。
Namo Amituofo!
