[520] 子女平时轮班给老人助念有什么好处？
[520] Sons [And] Daughters [In] Normal Times Taking Shifts [To] Give Old Persons Support-Chanting Has What Advantages?
◎ 一则辅助己之正念；二则曲为彼等种最胜善根；三则开通风气，以期大家效法；四则若至临终，自不致张罗忙乱，破坏正念。子孙能助念佛号，成就正念，虽平素功夫不甚恰当，亦能往生。
◎ [Summary]: [The] first aspect, [is that it] assists [the] Right Mindfulness of themselves. [The] second aspect, [is that it] bends [towards] for those [and] others, planting [of the] most excellent good roots. [The] third aspect, [is that it] opens up [this] common practice, with hope [that] everyone follows the example. [The] fourth aspect, [is that] if arriving [at when] approaching [life’s] end, naturally not likely to [make] plans [and] preparations rushed [and] confused, [that] destroy Right Mindfulness. Children [and] grandchildren [will be] able [to] support [with] reciting [of the] Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], [to] accomplish Right Mindfulness. Although usually [with] skills not extremely appropriate, [they are] also able [to be] reborn [in Pure Land].
如其心力衰弱，当令子媳孙女等，轮班助念。
If [there are] those [with] mind’s power weak, [they] should enable [their] sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters [and] others, [to] take shifts [for] support-chanting.
此一事有多种利益：一则辅助己之正念；二则曲为彼等种最胜善根；三则开通风气，以期大家效法；四则若至临终，自不致张罗忙乱，破坏正念。
This one practice has many kinds [of] benefits. [The] first aspect, [is that it] assists [the] Right Mindfulness of themselves. [The] second aspect, [is that it] bends [towards] for those [and] others, [the] planting [of the] most excellent good roots. [The] third aspect, [is that it] opens up [this] common practice, with hope [that] everyone follows the example. [The] fourth aspect, [is that] if arriving [at when] approaching [life’s] end, naturally not likely to [make] plans [and] preparations rushed [and] confused, [that] destroy Right Mindfulness.
临终一关，要紧之极。即平时功夫得力，若遇不知法门之子孙破坏，则便留住此世界，不得往生矣。
Approaching [life’s] end, [at this] one pass, [it is] that extremely important. Even [if in] normal times capable, if meeting children [and] grandchildren [who do] not know [the Pure Land] Dharma Door, [by them] destroyed, then staying [in] this world, not attaining rebirth [in the Pure Land].
若知此义，子孙能助念佛号，成就正念，虽平素功夫不甚恰当，亦能往生。
If knowing these meanings, children [and] grandchildren [will be] able [to] support [with] reciting [of the] Buddha’s name [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], [to] accomplish Right Mindfulness. Although usually [with] skills not extremely appropriate, [they are] also able [to be] reborn [in Pure Land].
是以光于老人，特为致意，切勿谓迂腐，则幸甚幸甚。
Therefore, [this is Yìn]guāng, for old persons [e.g. including your father], specially for sending regards. [You] must not call [this to be] adhering [to] old ideas. Then [will this be] extremely fortunate, extremely fortunate.
《与陈燮和居士书》
Letter For Layperson Chén Xièhé
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
