General

[20] Top Ten Facts To Know About The Dhāraṇī (Rebirth) Blanket 十大陀罗尼被(往生被)须知

[20] Top Ten Facts To Know About The Dhāraṇī (Rebirth) Blanket
十大陀罗尼被(往生被)须知

[1] External Aids: Although external aids such as the Sand Of Golden Bright Light (金光明沙), Mantra Wheels (咒轮), Rebirth/Dhāraṇī Blanket (往生/陀罗尼被), guidance (开示) and even support-chanting (助念) can facilitate birth in Pure Land (净土), we must not assume that we will personally have enough meritorious virtues (功德) to deserve use of such aids when dying, as this might lead to complacence in nurturing the Three Provisions (三资粮) of Faith, Aspiration and Practice (信愿行), which are the actual essentials for reaching Pure Land. The stronger these provisions are, the more effective will such supportive aids be, while those already with strong provisions do not really need them. More details on ensuring Pure Land will be reached can be seen at https://purelanders.com/now.

[2] Efficacy: For greatest efficacy, only consecrated aids from authentic Buddhist temples, centres or shops should be used. True Rebirth Blankets are with many properly printed mantras with inconceivable powers of blessing. Contact with them can help to eradicate evil karmas. They are light for minimising causing of discomfort in terms of weight and warmth.

[3] For The Dying: The Rebirth Blanket should be placed on the dying, above the usual blanket. It should be fully covered to the chest, with the words ‘Námó Āmítuófó’ (南无阿弥陀佛) at the front and top. As unseen beings see it as protective bright light, this prevents disturbances from karmic creditors (冤亲债主) who might be around to distract the person from mindfulness of Buddha (念佛). The Rebirth Blanket does not hasten death inauspiciously; it facilitates the best rebirth.

[4] Placing Back: After any change of clothes, the Rebirth Blanket should be placed back on the body. This applies to the deceased too.

[5] Right On Top: The Rebirth Blanket is not the Lotus Blanket (莲花被), which is just decorative and not needed. If used, the Rebirth Blanket should be placed above it.

[6] For The Deceased: If the facial expression of the deceased is unpleasant and might spur the grief of anyone, the body should be covered lightly and completely with the Rebirth Blanket, over the head as well.

[7] On Casket: If the body is already in a sealed casket, use the Rebirth Blanket to cover it fully to the chest level and use transparent tape to hold it in place. For ‘unfurling’ its full efficacy, it should not be placed folded on the casket only.

[8] Not To Be Burnt: If casket is to be cremated, remove the Rebirth Blanket before cremation. After cremation, use it to wrap the urn (with the Sand Of Golden Bright Light and Mantra Wheels within). The blanket can be placed in the urn too. As mantras represent the Dharma, they should not be destroyed or burnt, although the blanket can be buried with the body. If torn or stained beyond cleaning, it can be burnt respectfully while chanting ‘Āmítuófó’ to return it to the elements. (If ashes of the deceased are to be scattered, the blanket can be used to cover or wrap them [with Sand Of Golden Bright Light and Mantra Wheels (which should not be thrown away)] , before washing blanket for reuse later.)

[9] For The Living: For protection of those possibly possessed by karmic creditors, and to prevent repossession, the living, who are not dying, can use the Rebirth Blanket respectfully when sleeping too. (For an example on this, see https://purelanders.com/2021/04/11/how-to-help-the-possessed-with-mindfulness-of-buddha.)

[10] With Other Aids: With it being the main external aid, the Rebirth Blanket can be used with Sand Of Golden Bright Light and Mantra Wheels too. Details can be seen at [26] and [27] of https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/important-guidelines-2-during-dying-pure-land-passport-section-4b.

相关教理
Related Teachings:

《临终三大要》
The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death
https://purelanders.com/now

临终与丧礼助念摆设
Support-Chanting Layouts For Patients And Wakes
https://purelanders.com/2018/11/28/support-chanting-layouts-for-the-dying-wakes

How To Help The Possessed With Mindfulness Of Buddha
如何以念佛帮助被附体者
(A Buddhist ‘Exorcism’ Method
一个佛教祛鬼降魔的妙法)
https://purelanders.com/2021/04/11/how-to-help-the-possessed-with-mindfulness-of-buddha

‘十大’系列
‘Top Ten’ Series:

十大各人念佛障碍
[1] Top Ten Personal Niànfó Practice Obstacles
https://purelanders.com/2022/11/02/top-ten-personal-nianfo-practice-obstacles

引导临终者往生净土之十大障碍
[2] Top Ten Obstacles When Guiding The Dying To Reach Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/2022/11/02/top-ten-obstacles-when-guiding-the-dying-to-reach-pure-land

十大丧礼助念挑战
[3] Top Ten Wake Support-Chanting Challenges
https://purelanders.com/2022/11/02/top-ten-common-wake-support-chanting-challenges

十大念佛共修挑战
[4] Top Ten Niànfó Group Cultivation Challenges
https://purelanders.com/2022/11/02/top-ten-nianfo-group-cultivation-challenges

十大佛学班挑战
[5] Top Ten Buddhist Class Challenges
https://purelanders.com/2023/01/17/5-top-ten-buddhist-class-challenges

十大以弥陀圣号助念的原因
[6] Top Ten Reasons For Using Āmítuófó’s Name When Support-Chanting
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/15/6-top-ten-reasons-for-using-amituofos-name-when-support-chanting

十大对净土教理的误解
[7] Top Ten Misconceptions About The Pure Land Teachings
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/20/7-top-ten-misconceptions-about-pure-land-teachings

十大修学助念之利益
[8] Top Ten Benefits Of Practising Support-Chanting
https://purelanders.com/2017/11/25/10-reasons-to-practise-support-chanting-for-the-dying-deceased

十大念佛利益
[9A] Top Ten Benefits From Mindfulness Of Buddha
https://purelanders.com/2019/04/19/does-mindfulness-of-buddha-only-benefit-last-moments

十大念佛之今生利益
[9B] Top Ten Benefits From Mindfulness Of Buddha For This Life
https://purelanders.com/2018/07/21/ten-great-benefits-in-this-present-life-from-mindfulness-of-buddha

十大秽土与净土难易之分别(一)
[10A] Top Ten Difficulties In This Defiled Land Vs Ease In That Pure Land (1)
https://purelanders.com/2012/01/17/ten-comparisons-of-the-suffering-of-samsara-vs-the-bliss-of-pure-land

十大秽土与净土难易之分别(二)
[10B] Top Ten Difficulties In This Defiled Land Vs Ease In That Pure Land (2)
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/20/ten-great-easinesses-in-pure-land

十大净土法门兴起之因缘
[11] Top Ten Great Causes And Conditions Giving Rise To The Pure Land Dharma Door
https://purelanders.com/2020/03/05/ten-great-causes-and-conditions-giving-rise-to-the-pure-land-dharma-door

十大临终念佛障碍
[12] Top Ten Obstacles Of Mindfulness Of Buddha When Approaching Death
https://purelanders.com/2022/02/26/when-approaching-lifes-end-with-ten-matters

《净土十要》
[13] The Pure Land Tradition’s Ten Essentials
https://purelanders.com/shiyao

《净土十疑论》
[14] The Treatise On Ten Doubts About Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/shiyi

《普贤菩萨十大愿》所启发之《至心念佛偈》
[15] ‘Verses On Mindfulness Of Buddha With The Sincere Mind’ As Inspired By ‘Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s Ten Great Vows’
https://purelanders.com/2021/11/20/verses-on-mindfulness-of-buddha-with-the-sincere-mind

《十大碍行》/《十不求行》(跋)
[16] (Afterword On) ‘Practices With Ten Great Obstacles’ Or ‘Ten Kinds Of Non-Seeking’
https://purelanders.com/shi

十念记数法与晨朝十念法
[17] The Method Of Ten Recitations With Counting & The Method Of Early Morning’s Ten Recitations
https://purelanders.com/2019/08/31/the-method-of-ten-recitations-with-counting-n-the-method-of-early-mornings-ten-recitations

十信
[18] The Ten Faiths
https://purelanders.com/2012/06/25/the-ten-faiths-%e5%8d%81%e4%bf%a1

十大阿弥陀佛如此受欢迎的原因
[19] Top Ten Reasons Why Āmítuófó is So Popular
阿弥陀佛第十七愿的意义
Significance Of Āmítuófó’s 17th Vow
https://purelanders.com/2011/12/10/top-ten-reasons-why-amituofo-is-so-popular-significance-of-the-17th-vow-of-amituofo

十大陀罗尼被(往生被)须知
[20] Top Ten Facts To Know About The Dhāraṇī (Rebirth) Blanket
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/25/top-ten-facts-to-know-about-the-dhara%e1%b9%87i-rebirth-blanket

Please be mindful of your speech, Amituofo!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.