[501] 临终助念的重要作用是什么？
[501] [What Is The] Important Function [Of] Support-Chanting [When] Approaching [Life’s] End?
◎ 临终蒙善知识开导，令生信心。又为助念佛号，令彼随大众音声，或出声念，或心中默念。果能如法助念，无一切破坏正念等事，亦可往生。以佛力不可思议，法力不可思议，众生心力不可思议，故得此殊胜利益也。
◎ [Summary]: [When] approaching [life’s] end, receiving good-knowing friends’ inspiring guidance, [this will] enable [them to] give rise [to the] faithful mind. Furthermore, for [them offering] support-chanting [with the] Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], [to] enable them [to] follow [the] great assembly’s sound, perhaps verbally reciting, or within [their] minds silently reciting. If able [to] accord [with the] Dharma [to have] support-chanting, without all kinds [of] matters [that] destroy Right Mindfulness, [they] also can [be] reborn [in his Pure Land]. With [the] Buddha’s power inconceivable, [the] Dharma’s power inconceivable, [and] sentient beings’ minds inconceivable, therefore attaining this excellent benefit.
临命终时，四大分张，众苦毕集。若非三昧久证，诚恐不易得力。
When approaching life’s end, [with the] four great [elements] splitting up [and] departing, all sufferings completely gather. If not [with] samādhi long realised, truly fearing [it is] not easy [to be] capable.
况眷属不谙利害，往往以世情而破坏彼之正念。
Moreover, [with] family members not versed in [the] beneficial [and] harmful, [they are] often with worldly emotions then destroying their that Right Mindfulness.
此饬终社之所由结集也。饬终云者，即助生之谓也。
This Admonitions [For The] End’s Society [is] due [to] that assembled. That [Bridge With] Admonitions [For The] End said, [is] then [for] assisting birth that said.
盖以行人当此时节，得人开导而辅助之，则欣厌心生，贪爱情息，耳闻佛名，心缘佛境。
Because with practitioners at this time, attaining people’s inspiring guidance then assisting them, [they are] then [with] joy [and] revulsion’s minds arising, greedy love ceasing, ears hearing [the] Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], [and] minds’ condition [being the] Buddha’s realm.
自可与佛感应道交，蒙佛接引往生西方。
[They] naturally can [be] with [the] Buddha [having] connection [and] response [for] mutual interaction, receive [the] Buddha’s reception [and] guidance [to be] reborn [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)].
譬如怯弱之人，欲登高山，前有牵者，后有推者，左右有扶掖将护者，自不至半途而废耳。
For example, like those timid [and] weak persons, desiring [to] ascend [a] high mountain, [in] front having those pulling, [and] behind having those pushing, [on the] left [and] right having those supporting, [who] will protect [them, they will] naturally not go so far [to be] halfway then giving up.
即使平素不闻佛法之人，临终蒙善知识开导，令生信心。又为助念佛号，令彼随大众音声，或出声念，或心中默念。
Even if [there are] those persons [who] usually [do] not hear [the] Buddha’s Dharma, [when] approaching [life’s] end, receiving good-knowing friends’ inspiring guidance, [this will] enable [them to] give rise [to the] faithful mind. Furthermore, for [them offering] support-chanting [with the] Buddha’s name, [to] enable them [to] follow [the] great assembly’s sound, perhaps verbally reciting, or within [their] minds silently reciting.
果能如法助念，无一切破坏正念等事，亦可往生。
If able [to] accord [with the] Dharma [to offer] support-chanting, without all kinds [of] matters [that] destroy Right Mindfulness, [they] also can [be] reborn [in his Pure Land].
以佛力不可思议，法力不可思议，众生心力不可思议，故得此殊胜利益也。
With [the] Buddha’s power inconceivable, [the] Dharma’s power inconceivable, [and] sentient beings’ minds inconceivable, therefore attaining this excellent benefit.
愿为人子孙与诸眷属及父母等，同知此义，同依此行，方可名为真慈孝亲爱也已。
May [those] as children [and] grandchildren, with all family members, and fathers [and] mothers [and] others, together know these meanings, [to] together rely [on] this practice. Then can [this be] named as true compassion [and] filial piety [for] close [and] loved [ones]!
《饬终津梁》提要）
Bridge [With] Admonitions [For The] End’s Summary
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师答念佛600问》
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Answers [For] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha’s 600 Questions
释宗柱法师审阅
[By] Dharma Master Shì Zōngzhù Reviewed
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
《临终三大要》
Three Great Essentials When Approaching Life’s End
https://purelanders.com/now
死亡前后与丧礼中后的诵念
Chanting When Dying, After Death, During & After Wakes
https://purelanders.com/wake
