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
73 Question: What kinds of people are able to depart from this life peacefully and freely, with ease and composure?
Answer:
Quite often, it is those who are socially humble, simple, unlearned, and gentle-hearted. They are often the most sincere in their exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha, and unconcerned with drawing attention to themselves. These are the ones who pass away most auspiciously.
In summary, there are six common types:
1. Those who practice diligently and without slackening
Examples include Dong Ziming and Zheng Xibin, as recorded in Records of Nianfo Responses and Rebirth Experiences (Vol. 3).
2. Those who are simple, humble, and unpretentious.
Examples include Master Xiuwu and the Venerable “Cauldron-Leak Repairer”, both well-known for their plain and honest characters.
3. Those who cultivate quietly and deeply without seeking recognition An example is Madam Zhang of Qingdao.
4. Those who are compassionate, gentle, and soft-hearted.
Examples include Madam Ma of Quanyang and an elderly woman from Tainan.
5. Those who possess a strong sense of renunciation
An example is Master Yingke, whose earnest longing to leave this suffering world, inspired him to attain rebirth through wholehearted practice.
6. Those who have deep wholesome roots from past lives.
An example is the elderly Mr. Hu of Qianjiang.
These examples suggest that an auspicious and peaceful passing is often associated not with worldly status, intellectual brilliance, or outward accomplishments ; but, with qualities such as sincerity, humility, perseverance, kindness, simplicity, faith, and wholehearted reliance upon Amitabha Buddha. Such people tend to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha with an undivided heart and are therefore more readily able to depart this life with peace, confidence, and freedom.
73問：什麼樣的人會走時自在？
答：往往地位低下、愚鈍無智、心地善軟、老實念佛、不事張揚的人，會走得 好。略說有六：
一、精進不懈的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第151頁董子明、第153頁 鄭錫賓等。
二、守愚樸實的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第136頁修無法師、第 138頁鍋漏匠師父等。
三、沉厚潛修的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第155頁青島張氏。 四、慈柔善軟的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第272頁泉陽馬氏、第
318頁台南某老太。
五、厭離心切的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第135頁瑩珂法師。
六、 宿有善根的人，如《念佛感應錄》第三集第215頁潛江胡老漢。
Namo Amituofo!
