Translations

With Recitation Of Āmítuófó’s Sacred Name Doing Buddhist Practices For The Deceased Are Meritorious Virtues The Greatest 以念阿弥陀佛圣号为亡者做佛事之功德最大

以念阿弥陀佛圣号为亡者做佛事之功德最大
With Recitation Of Āmítuófó’s Sacred Name Doing Buddhist Practices For The Deceased Are Meritorious Virtues The Greatest

【1】

须知做佛事,唯念佛功德最大。

It must be known that when doing Buddhist practices [for the deceased], only recitation of the Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛] has meritorious virtues that are the greatest [as it encompasses the essence of the Triple Gem’s (三宝) blessings].

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng

《一函遍复》
(One Letter As A Common Reply)

https://purelanders.com/2021/10/12/5-the-fifth-principle

【2】

至于做佛事,当以念佛为第一,余皆场面好看而已。

As for doing Buddhist practices [for the deceased], they should be with recitation of the Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛] as the foremost, as others all are for public appearances, to look good only [i.e. without substantial benefits of guiding to the best rebirth in Pure Land directly].

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng

《致郭辅庭居士书》
Letter To Layperson Guō Fǔtíng

【3】

丧葬之事,不可过为铺排张罗。作佛事,只可念佛,勿做别佛事。并令全家通皆恳切念佛,则于汝母,于汝等诸眷属及亲戚朋友,皆有实益。

Of funeral and burial practices, there must not be overly making arrangements with plans and preparations. When doing Buddhist practices [for the deceased], there only can be recitation of the Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛], not doing other Buddhist practices. Furthermore, if enabling your whole family to all earnestly recite the Buddha name, then for your [deceased] mother, for you and all your family members, relatives and friends, all will have true benefits.

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《复周孟由昆弟书》
Reply Letter To Zhōu Mèngyóu’s Brothers

https://purelanders.com/2022/07/20/202-funerals-should-be-completely-vegetarian-with-guidance-and-mindfulness-of-buddha

【4】

以念佛利益,多于诵经、拜忏、做水陆多多矣。

With recitation of the Buddha’s name’s [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛] benefits, they are more than those from reciting of sūtras, prostrating with repentance prayers, and conducting of the Water And Land Dharma Assembly by very much [as it focuses on guiding to the best rebirth in Pure Land directly].

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《复黄涵之书》
Reply Letter To Huáng Hánzhī

https://purelanders.com/2022/08/12/201-mindfulness-of-buddhas-benefits-surpass-those-from-reciting-sutras-prostrating-with-repentance-and-other-dharma-assemblies

【5】

至于追悼会,乃涤庵兄妹之情,按理所不应作。但以念佛求得往生为事。至于念经拜忏做水陆,光绝不肯一语提倡。以难得如法,只张罗场面而已。

As for memorial services [with eulogies and such], thus for freeing the minds of your brothers and sisters from worries and emotions, according to reason, those should not be done [as they evoke attachment]. Only be with recitation of the Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛] for seeking attainment of rebirth in Pure Land as practice. As for reciting of sūtras, prostrating with repentance prayers, and conducting of the Water And Land Dharma Assembly Dharma Assembly, Yìnguāng is absolutely not willing to be with one word promoting them. With them being difficult for attaining that according with the Dharma [for reaching Pure Land directly], only for gathering and public appearances only.

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《复志梵居士书三》
Third Reply Letter To Layperson Zhìfàn

【6】

凡丧中作佛事,均当以念佛为事。若念经,拜忏,做水陆道场,殊少实益也。

Of all within funerals doing Buddhist practices [for the deceased], all should be with recitation of the Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛] as practice. If with reciting of sūtras, prostrating with repentance prayers, and conducting of the Water And Land Dharma Assembly’s service, there are really few true benefits [in comparison].

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《复沙庸之居士书》
Reply Letter To Layperson Shā Yōngzhī

相关教理
Related Teachings:

死亡前后与丧礼中后的诵念
Chanting When Dying, After Death, During And After Wakes
https://purelanders.com/wake

如法助念与《三时系念》之别
Differences Between Support-Chanting According With The Dharma And With Three Periods’ Continuous Recitation
https://purelanders.com/2022/12/03/differences-between-support-chanting-according-with-the-dharma-and-with-three-periods-continuous-recitation

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

助念冲突管理问答
Support-Chanting Conflict Management Q&A
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/16/qna-on-support-chanting-conflict-management

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