September 7, 2025

Sept. 7, 2025

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

Q.49 : Is the effect of assisted recitation better when done by someone who is dedicated to their spiritual practice?

A: To be precise: the more one has been dedicated to the exclusive practice of Amitabha - recitation and is sincere and focused, the more effective the assisted recitation will be.

49 問：有修行的人助念，效果是不是比一般人好？

答：準確地說：越是專修念佛、虔誠專注的人，助念效果越好。

Namo Amituofo!

August 23, 2025

Aug. 23, 2025

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

48. Question:

Can a recitation device (Nianfo machine) replace the in person assistance of fellow practitioners during assisted recitation? Under what circumstances is it acceptable to substitute with a machine?

Answer:

The power of a human mind and its responsiveness is great. A Nianfo machine can serve as a supportive aid ; but, it cannot fully replace a person. Especially at the critical moment of death and immediately afterward, it is more beneficial for people to join together and recite with one heart and one voice. It is far from ideal to rely solely on a machine while no one recites in person.

The following five situations allow for temporary substitution with a Nianfo machine:

1. When no one is available to assist with recitation.

2. When those assisting are too exhausted to continue, and the dying person’s condition is still stable and not yet critical.

3. When the dying person has full confidence in their own rebirth and does not require assistance.

4. After at least eight hours of recitation for the deceased.

5. When it is confirmed that the deceased has already been reborn in the Pure Land.

48問：念佛機能否代替蓮友助念？在什麼情況下可以代替？

答：人的心力感應大，念佛機可做助緣，但不能完全代替人。特別正當 命終前後，更要眾人同心齊聲稱念，萬不可人不念、只用念佛機念。

下面五種情形可用念佛機暫代：

一、無人助念。

二、助念人過於困乏，難以持續；病者尚平穩，不甚危急。 三、臨終者自己有把握，不必人助念。

四、亡者助念至少八小時之後。

五、亡者確已往生。

Namo Amituofo!

August 9, 2025

Aug. 9, 2025

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: Is it always better to have more people participating in assisted recitation ?

Answer: Not necessarily. For group-based assisted recitation, having six to eight people in a team is sufficient. Fewer people often leads to better coordination, while too many can result in disorder. The environment for assisted recitation requires mental focus and chanting Amitabha Buddha’s Name in unison. There should be no idle chatter, no unnecessary entering and exiting, or disturbances such as fans or noises from other controllable sources.

47 問：助念的蓮友是不是越多越好？

答：不一定。分班助念，一班有六、七、八個人足矣。人少往往統一，人多 每每雜亂。助念的現場要求精神專注，佛號整齊，不要有閒話雜語，也不 要人來人往地走動，電風扇等機器搖動、聲響等都儘量避免。

Namo Amituofo!

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

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 46:

For assisted-recitation, which of the following is better - chanting or reciting, six syllables or 4 syllables?

Answer: It depends on what the dying person prefers. Generally speaking, reciting (spoken) is easier on the mind, breath, and energy than chanting (melodic); which is harder for someone who is seriously ill or near death, due to their weakened breath and mental strength. So recitation is more suitable.

As for the form: the six-syllable version (“Namo Amituofo”) is more complete, while the four-syllable version (“Amituofo”) is more concise and quicker. Near the moment of death, when time is critical and conditions are urgent, the four-syllable version is sufficient without insisting on the full name. At other times, when the situation is calmer, the six-syllable version is more complete and preferable.

46問：助念時，唱念、稱念，六字、四字，何者為勝？

答：以臨終人喜愛為準。一般而言，稱念比唱念省心、省氣、省力，病重、臨 終之人氣息不足，心力衰弱，唱念難以跟進，宜用稱念。六字比四字完整， 四字比六字急促；正命終前後稱念四字，因形勢急促，不必求佛號完整；其 餘時間情勢緩和，即稱念六字，較為圓滿。

Namo Amituofo!

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

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 : During assisted recitation (at someone’s deathbed), does it work if we just recite Anitabha Buddha’s Name without giving any Dharma teachings?

Answer : For those who have not heard the Buddha’s teachings during their lifetime and do not seek rebirth in the Pure Land, it is best to offer a brief teaching to encourage them to aspire for rebirth. However, if no one is available to give a teaching, as long as the group recites Amitabha Buddha’s Name together, the room will naturally be filled with light, and inconceivable effects will still occur.

45問：助念時，沒有人開示、只念佛行不行？

答：平生未聞佛法、不求往生的人，最好能有簡單開示，勸他願生。實在沒有 人開示，只要大眾同聲念佛，自然滿屋光明，也有不可思議的效應。

Namo Amituofo!

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

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

Q: When assisting recitation near the end-of-life, which should take priority —Dharma instruction or reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name?

A: Reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name should take priority. Dharma instruction is a skillful means to guide one toward Amitabha-recitation.

44問：臨終助念，開示與念佛以何為主？

答：念佛為主。開示是引導念佛的方便。

Namo Amituofo!

June 7, 2025

June 7, 2025

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

43. Question : What kind of mindset should someone have when assisting with Amitabha-recitation at the bedside?

Answer:

1. Put yourself in the position of the dying person. Think: "I am the one lying in that hospital bed—what is it that I would want most right now?" With this perspective, your words and actions will naturally align with the needs and

heart of the person nearing death.

2. Have complete trust in and reliance on Amitabha Buddha. There’s no need to worry about whether the recitation will lead to rebirth in the Pure Land, or whether Amitabha Buddha will come or not. The person assisting should simply focus wholeheartedly on reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name. He will naturally come to save the dying person—his deliverance of sentient beings is effortless. Excessive worry is not only unnecessary, it can also negatively affect the atmosphere of the recitations.

43問：助念者應該抱什麼的心態？

答：一、設身處地地站在臨終人的立場，想到：我就是那個躺在病床上的人 ，我現在最希望的是什麼呢？能這樣想，所作所為就能符合臨終人的心 了。

二、完全信任、仰賴阿彌陀佛，不必擔心助念能不能往生、阿彌陀佛會不 會來等等。助念的人只管專心念佛，阿彌陀佛自會來救度臨終人，阿彌陀 佛救度眾生是很容易的。過多的擔心不僅沒有必要，而且會影響念佛的氣氛。

Namo Amituofo!

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

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 42. When offering assisted recitation and comfort to a dying person, what should we pay attention to and avoid?

Answer:

1. To avoid confusion, make it simple. Focus only on reciting Namo Amituofo. All other things should be avoided.

2. Please avoid increasing the psychological burden on the dying person. For example, if we say, “Mr. XYZ, you have recited the Buddha’s Name for your entire life and you wish to be reborn. This time is critical, so you should be mindful of the Buddha. If you fail to do this , what you did in the past was in vain.” Saying this is a bit negative, and incurs stress on the dying person. It is because he cannot master and control himself that he needs someone to comfort him, so that he feels safe and peaceful.

One ought to say, “Mr. XYZ, you recited the Buddha’s Name for your entire life, and you wish to be reborn. Amitabha Buddha sees this and knows it. Your efforts have not been in vain. Amitabha Buddha will certainly save you. Though you do not see Amitabha Buddha right now, he will certainly appear when the final moment arrives. As you are already a member of Amitabha Buddha’s Lotus family, he will naturally come to receive you at the right time.

Please try to be patient. You can join us in reciting Amitabha’s Name. If you cannot recite it, you can simply listen and wait for Amitabha Buddha to welcome you!”

42問：助念、開示，最要注意避免的是什麼？

答：一是避免雜。除了一句阿彌陀佛，其他一切皆免。

二是避免增加病亡者的心理負擔。比如說：「某某人，你一輩子念佛修 行，求的就是往生，現在是關鍵時刻，你一定要努力把握正念，如果這時 候不能把握，一輩子修行就會前功盡棄。」這樣的話都有負面信息在當 中，勢必增加臨終人的壓力，因為人在這個時候不是自己勉強就能做主 的，最需要助念的人善巧安慰，讓他的心平安和順。

應當說：「某某人，你一輩子念佛修行，願意往生，阿彌陀佛早都看到、 知道，功不唐捐！阿彌陀佛救你是救定了！現在雖然還沒看見阿彌陀佛 現身接引，是因為你的壽辰還沒到，但你早已是阿彌陀佛的人了，阿彌 陀佛自然會不早不晚來接你的，所以請你不用著急，能跟我們念佛就跟 我們一道念佛，如果力有不及，我們念佛你聽著也是一樣，你就安心地 躺在這裏，等待阿彌陀佛來迎吧。」

Namo Amituofo!

May 10, 2025

May 10, 2025

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 41: Why do some people still hold on to life even after a long period of assisted or supportive recitation and guidance at their bedside?

A: There are two possible reasons: either their lifespan has not yet reached its end, or they have unresolved concerns.

If their lifespan has not yet ended, those offering supportive recitation and guidance should not be too anxious. They can slow down the pace to avoid adding pressure to the dying person.

If there are unresolved concerns, it is important to understand what they are and help resolve them as soon as possible.

If there are outstanding debts, the family can reassure them by saying: "We are aware of all the debts and will take care of them. You can leave in peace."

If they are worried about their children, say: "We will take good care of them and support them. Please rest assured."

If they are holding onto resentment, say: "So-and-so deeply regrets what happened. You are about to go to the Pure Land and attain Buddhahood—please forgive them."

If you can address their concerns directly, you will see an immediate and noticeable effect.

41問：為什麼有的人經過很長時間的開示助念，還是斷不了氣？

答：要麼是他的壽辰還未到，要麼是他心事未了。若是壽辰未到，前來助念 的人就不要急，可以放緩一緩，以免增加臨終人的負擔。若是心事未了，就 要瞭解是何事，幫他儘快了卻。如有帳務未了，就可以讓他的眷屬說：「所有 帳務，我們都清楚，自會了結的，您就放心走吧。」

如有兒女牽掛，放捨不了，就說：「我們一定會好好扶養他，幫助他，請你 放心。」如有怨恨難平，就說：「某某現在也很後悔，您就要去淨土成佛了，就原諒他吧。」如能切中他的心事，立即就會有明顯的效果。

Namo Amituofo!

April 12, 2025

Apr. 12, 2025

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: What is the main content of the guidance given during recitation assistance?

Answer: First, explain that samsara is suffering and that the Pure Land is bliss, encouraging the person to aspire for rebirth there.

Then, advise them to let go of all worldly attachments. As life is coming to an end, clinging is futile and will hinder their rebirth.

Finally, encourage them to join in the recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name or, if unable, simply listen. When they see the Buddha coming to receive them, they should joyfully follow him.

39問:助念時,開示的主要內容是什麼?

答:先說明輪迴是苦、極樂是樂,勸他應當發願往生。再勸他放下世間一切執著,因為身命將終,再執著也無用,而且妨礙往生。最後勸他隨著一道念佛,見佛來迎,即隨佛去。

Namo Amituofo!

March 31, 2025

Mar. 31, 2025

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 38: What is the most fundamental principle regarding assisted recitation for the deceased?

Answer:

Eliminate all obstacles and wholeheartedly focus on reciting Namo Amituofo!

38問:助念者最要把握的根本是什麼?

答:排除一切障緣,專念一句阿彌陀佛!

Namo Amituofo!

March 19, 2025

Mar. 19, 2025

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: Reciting sutras, mantras, and the names of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas all generate merit, don’t they? Then how can it be said that they cause harm?

Answer:

Indeed, all of these practices can generate merit and ensure that a dying person does not fall into the Three Wretched Realms. However, they do not guarantee rebirth in the Pure Land.

The original purpose of assisted recitation near end-of-life is to help the dying attain rebirth in the Pure Land and ultimately achieve Buddhahood. If one instead recites other sutras, mantras, or the names of various other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the result may only be virtuous rewards in the human or heavenly realms.

In the next life, there is no certainty that one will encounter the Dharma again, and one may even fall into the Three Wretched Realms. Wouldn’t this disrupt the great matter of attaining Buddhahood?!

37問：念經、念咒、念所有佛菩薩，不是都有功德嗎？怎麼能說是破壞呢？

答：

確實都有功德，能保證臨終人不墮於三惡道，但不能保證必然往生。本來臨終助念是要達成往生淨土成佛的，結果念別的經咒、佛菩薩等，只得人天善果，再下一輩子說不定難遇佛法而墮入三惡道，豈不是破壞了成佛的大事！

Namo Amituofo!

March 7, 2025

Mar 7, 2025

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 36: Does reciting the name of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Sutra of Kṣitigarbha, the Diamond Sutra, or mantras count as assistance in Amitabha recitation?

Answer: None of these counts. Only reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha is regarded as assisted-recitation. The purpose of assisted-recitation is to assist others in reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name and guiding them to be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss.It is not to assist them in reciting sutras, mantras, or the names of other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

At the moment of death, the situation is extremely critical. Regardless of which practice they followed during their lifetime, all other methods should be set aside at this time, while focusing exclusively on reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha.

If one gets distracted by reciting other things, it may be too late. To put it seriously, all of these other practices disrupt the assisted-recitation and jeopardize the chance of achieving rebirth in the Pure Land. Due to ignorance and misunderstanding, one could unintentionally create great obstacles. Among these, disrupting the exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name at the moment of death is one of the gravest mistakes.

36問:念地藏菩薩、《地藏經》、《金剛經》,念咒等,算不算助念?

答:通通不算!只有念阿彌陀佛名號才是助念。所謂「助念」,是助人念阿彌陀佛,往生極樂世界,而不是助他念經、念咒、念其他佛菩薩等。臨終之時,情況萬分危急,不管平時學什麼法門,這個時候通通都要放下,專念一句阿彌陀佛。再雜七雜八念別的,來不及了。

說得嚴重一點,這是擾亂助念,破壞往生。因愚癡無知而造罪,沒有超過臨終擾亂專念阿彌陀佛的。

Namo Amituofo!

February 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

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 35: As Amitabha-recitation is the karma of assurance, any person who recites the Buddha’s Name will be reborn. Why do we always talk about assisted recitation at the time of death?

Answer:

As said by Master Yinguang, “This method of assisted recitation at the time of death was initiated by Master Shandao of the Tang Dynasty. It is said that even those who did not chant the Buddha's name during their lifetimes can attain rebirth in the Pure Land through this method of assisted recitation.

It is evident that the practice of assisted recitation at the time of death is primarily aimed at those who did not ordinarily recite Amitabha Buddha's Name. Since they neither recited the Buddha's Name during their lifetimes nor at the time of death, they risk remaining entrapped in the cycle of rebirth.

At this critical moment, good friends are needed to guide and assist them, leading them in reciting Amitabha Buddha's Name together or for them. By following this practice, they too can attain rebirth in the Pure Land. If assisted recitation at the time of death can enable rebirth, then those who regularly recite Amitabha Buddha's Name are even more certain to achieve it.

This clearly demonstrates that reciting Amitabha Buddha's Name is the right and certain practice for rebirth. Among all who recite, all will succeed!

35問:既然念佛是正定業,任何人念佛都能往生,那為什麼還有臨終助念一說呢?

答:

如印光大師說:「此(臨終助念)法乃唐善導和尚所發明,謂平日不念佛者,依此法助念,亦可往生。」可知臨終助念主要是針對平日不念佛的人。

因為平日既不念佛,臨終再不念佛就要墮落輪迴了,所以這時就需要善友來開導幫助,帶領他一道念佛。他這時能隨著念佛,同樣往生。臨終助念都能往生,平時念佛的人就更能往生了。這也正說明念佛是往生正定業,萬修萬人去啊!

Namo Amituofo!

February 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

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 34. Why can a person be reborn, even if he fails to recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name near his end-of-life; but, only recites it in the present life?

Answer:

Rebirth is not necessarily determined only near the end-of-life. If we exclusively practice Amitabha-recitation and aspire to be reborn in the present life, we are assured of rebirth already. Even if we are unable to recite near the end-of-life, we will still be reborn. This is known as “Assured Rebirth in the present life” in the Pure Land School.

It is just like a big tree whose branches grow towards the west. When it is cut, it doesn't need any effort to make it fall down towards the west. It can also be compared to a person who boards a ship early, he will still arrive at his destination even if he sleeps without knowing the ship has sailed. Master Shandao said, “Amitabha-recitation is the assured karma for rebirth.”He didn’t say Amitabha recitation only before the moment of death is the karma of assurance.

34問:為什麼平時念佛、臨終沒念佛,也能往生?

答:

往生並不是必須要到臨終才能決定的,平時專修念佛、真願往生,則其往生平時就已經定了,臨終雖沒能念出佛,也必往生。這在淨土宗叫做「平生業成」。

好像一棵大樹,長的時候就向西傾斜,鋸斷的時候雖不再加力,也自然往西而倒。又好比早就安坐船上的人,即使船離碼頭的時候睡著而不知,也絲毫不影響安達彼岸。善導大師說念佛是往生正定之業,正是如此。

Namo Amituofo!

February 1, 2025

Feb. 1, 2025

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 33: A person aspires to be reborn and recites the Buddha’s Name in the present lifetime; but, he is in a coma near the end-of-his life. Can he still be reborn?

Answer: Yes. Please refer to the eye-witness account of M.S. Chiang on page 299 in the Third Collection of Accounts of Amitabha-Recitation.

33問:平時念佛願生,臨終昏迷沒有念佛,能不能往生?

答:能!《念佛感應錄》第三集第299頁蔣妙信就是這樣。

Namo Amituofo!

January 31, 2025

Jan. 31, 2025

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 32: It is difficult to think clearly near the end-of-life; so, if I just listen to my family members reciting, can I be reborn?

Answer:

Yes, you can! The situation is similar to someone at the lowest level in the low tier.He didn’t have enough energy to focus his mind or think clearly; but, simply listened to his good advisor reciting, and, in a flash, he was reborn! For example, if you don’t know how to write; but, a person guides your hand to write the words. In this way, you can write. A dying person cannot recite the Buddha’s name; but, he can listen to a good advisor reciting one by one. In this way, he can be reborn.

32問:臨終自己意念也有困難,只能跟著人家隨口稱念,能不能往生?

答:能!《觀經》下品下生的人就是這樣,自己一點心力都沒有,不能意業思惟,只能跟著善知識隨口稱念,也得到殊勝往生。比如自己不會寫字,讓會寫字的人把著手寫出來的同樣也是字。臨終人自己的心已不能念佛,跟著善知識一聲一聲口中念佛,也同樣是念佛,同樣往生。

Namo Amituofo!

January 16, 2025

Jan 16, 2025

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 31: It’s difficult for a dying person to recite Amitabha’s name time after time; but, if he has a single thought of acceptance of rebirth, can he still be reborn?

Answer: Certainly! The situation is the same as the one described in the passage on rebirth for those at the middle level in the low tier. (from the Contemplation Sutra)

31問:臨終一句一句默念佛號也有困難,只有一念願生的心,能不能往生?

答:能!《觀經》下品中生就是如此。

Namo Amituofo!

January 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

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 30. When we are near death, if we cannot open our mouths to recite; but, can only recite mentally, can we still be reborn?

Answer:

Certainly we can. For evidence, please refer to the eye-witness account of Mr. F Y Lee’s mother recorded on page 281, Mr. C P Lee on page 206 and Mr. K C Lee on page 212 in the Third Collection of Accounts of Amitabha-recitation.

30問:臨終口念不出佛、心裏默念,能不能往生?

答:能!《念佛感應錄》第三集第281頁楊福印、第291頁李玉輝母、第206頁李傳柏、第212頁李啟忠等,即是其證。

Namo Amituofo!

January 7, 2025

Jan. 7, 2025

Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation

Part Two - Rebirth through Amitabha-Recitation

第二部分 有關念佛往生

Question 29. Should we begin reciting the Buddha’s Name now?

Answer: Yes. The earlier we begin reciting, the earlier we will: feel safe , at peace, avoid calamities, eradicate karmic offenses, increase our karmic blessings, and be assured of rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land.

29問:看來現在就要開始念佛了?

答:對!早念佛,早平安、早免難、早消業、早增福,早日往生決定。

Namo Amituofo!