Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
183. “Welcoming during Ordinary Times” and “Welcoming at the Time of Death” (3 /3)
The 19th Vow: Welcoming Begins at the Time of Death
Practitioners of the 19th Vow do not exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. Instead, they rely on self-power practices, cultivating various merits and dedicating them toward rebirth in the Pure Land. Because of this, the karmic cause for rebirth has not yet become decisively settled.
Moreover, during their lifetimes, they are not constantly embraced and protected by Amitabha’s light; and they lack the three kinds of connections with Amitabha —intimate affinity, close affinity, and augmenting affinity. As a result, they may naturally feel anxious about whether they will truly attain rebirth.
Out of compassion for such beings, Amitabha Buddha established this special vow, promising in advance to appear before them at the moment of death. He thus
grants them assistance and reassurance; so that their fearful and uneasy hearts may be calmed, enabling them to be peacefully reborn.
Therefore, in this case the welcoming appearance of Amitabha Buddha becomes a very necessary event. It is known as “welcoming at the time of death” or “initial welcoming.”
183 「平生來迎」與「臨終來迎」(3/ 3 )
第十九願：臨終始來迎
第十九願行者，由於不是一向專稱彌陀佛名，而是靠自力修諸功德迴向 求生極樂，因此往生業因尚未決定。此外，由於平生不蒙彌陀光明攝取與護 念，與彌陀缺乏「親、近、增上」三種緣，因此心中難免憂慮不得往生。阿彌陀 佛悲愍此類眾生，別發此願，預誓臨終前來加佑，安慰他惶恐不安的心，使其 安然往生。因此，「來迎」是非常必要的儀式，謂之為「臨終來迎」、「始來迎」。
第十八願念佛往生，不依賴來迎，也無需強調來迎的儀式相狀；念佛決定 時，往生即定。第十九願諸行往生，現生往生未定，則須仰賴臨終接引。
Namo Amituofo!
