Briefly Speaking Of ‘The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death’ 略说《临终三大要》

略说《临终三大要》
Briefly Speaking Of ‘The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death’

今列三要，以为成就临终人往生之据。语虽鄙俚，意本佛经。遇此因缘，悉举行焉。这三要者：

Now to be stated are Three Essentials, as guidelines for those approaching death to accomplish rebirth in Pure Land. Although these words seem mediocre and coarse, their principles are originally from the Buddha’s sūtras. Having encountered these causes and conditions, may all put them into practice. These Three Essentials are:

第一，善巧开导安慰，令生正信。

First, skilfully inspire, guide and console the dying person, to enable giving rise to right Faith.

第二，大家换班念佛，以助净念。

Second, everyone should take shifts to recite the name of Buddha (Āmítuófó), so as to support pure mindfulness.

第三，切戒搬动哭泣，以防误事。

Third, you must avoid (touching or) moving the body and crying, so as to prevent bungling the matter (of reaching Pure Land).

果能依此三法以行，决定可以消除宿业，增长净因，蒙佛接引，往生西方。

If able to rely on these three teachings in practice, one can definitely eradicate past negative karma, increase causes for birth in Pure Land, and attain the Buddha’s receiving and guiding, for rebirth in his Western Pure Land.

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《临终三大要》摘要
Excerpt From ‘The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death’