Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation
Part Four - The Mindset and Practice in Daily Life
念佛實用問答(4) - 日常心行
Question 83: Besides reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha every day, I also enjoy playing mahjong. Can I still be reborn in the Pure Land?
Answer to Q83 : It depends on your mindset. If you regard rebirth in the Pure Land through the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha as the most important matter in your life; but, still enjoy playing mahjong because of your habitual tendencies, you will still attain rebirth. However, after playing, you may feel that you have wasted your time and that reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha would have been more worthwhile. As time goes by, you will naturally play less and eventually stop.
However, if you recite Namo Amitabha Buddha merely as a superficial addition to your life, while playing mahjong is what you truly enjoy and pursue, then you have reversed your priorities. In that case, rebirth in the Pure Land will be difficult.
83問：我每天念佛之外，還喜歡打打麻將，這樣能否往生？
答：這要看你的心。如果以念佛往生為人生第一要事，但因為習氣，喜歡打 麻將，那還是會往生。不過打完之後，自己也會覺得是浪費時間，不如念佛 的好。久而久之，自然也就少打、不打了。如果念佛只是裝點，打麻將正為 所好，這樣主次輕重顛倒，往生就有困難了。
Namo Amituofo!
