[524] 断气后，最少应念几个小时的佛？
[524] After Ending [Of] Breathing, What Should [Be The] Least [Number Of] Hours [For] Reciting [Āmítuó]fó[’s Name]?
◎ 光《文钞》中，顺人情，令过二小时后再举行，尚属太早。以恐人情耐不得，实则宜四五时方好。尚有经一日者，为尤好。
◎ [Summary]: [Yìn]guāng, within [the] Collected Writings, following human emotions, [wrote on] enabling passing two hours later, then holding [them, but this] still belongs [to that] too soon. With fear [that] human emotions cannot [be] endured, actually, four [to] five hours [is] then good. Those having passing [of] one day, is especially good.
将亡人令面向西方，面前供一尊接引佛，作随佛往生想。
[The] person about [to] die [should be] enabled [to] face towards [the] Western direction, in front offering a Buddha image receiving [and] guiding, [to] create following [the] Buddha [for] rebirth’s contemplation.
一直念到气断已过三点钟后，再为洗换哭泣等，则不致贻误大事。
Continuously reciting until breathing [has] ended already, passing three hours later, then is washing [and] changing clothes, [with] crying [and] others, then not likely to bungle [the] great matter [of reaching Pure Land].
死亡后助念四五小时
[Have] Support-Chanting [Of] Four [To] Five Hours After Death
观令夫人之临终景相，则往生西方，可以无疑。
Looking [at the] circumstances [and] form of your wife [when] approaching [life’s] end, then [her] rebirth [in the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)], can [be] without doubts.
至于扶乩所说，究不出理事判断之外，可以无须疑豫。
As for planchette writing’s that ‘said’, [since] examining [it does] not go outside of [the person] handling [the] practice’s determination, [there] can [be] without need [for] doubt [and] hesitation [if it says otherwise].
唯亡后只念半小时佛，即举哀，放倒揩身，尚觉太早。
[If] only after death, only reciting [Āmítuó]fó[’s name] [阿弥陀佛] [for] half [an] hour, then handling funeral arrangements, turning over [and] wiping [the] body, [this] still feels [to be] too soon.
光《文钞》中，顺人情，令过二小时后再举行，尚属太早。以恐人情耐不得，实则宜四五时方好。尚有经一日者，为尤好。
[Yìn]guāng, within [the] Collected Writings, following human emotions, [wrote on] enabling passing two hours later, then holding [it, but this] still belongs [to that] too soon. With fear [that] human emotions cannot [be] endured, actually, four [to] five hours [is] then good. Those having passing [of] one day, is especially good.
《复章缘净居士书三》
Third Reply Letter [To] Layperson Zhāng Yuánjìng
老少如何决定往生净土
How [The] Old [And] Young [Can] Definitely [Be] Reborn [In] Pure Land
待至临终，[给予开示后]，则全家念佛。无一事可问，亦无一事交代，大家同声念佛。
Waiting until approaching [life’s] end, [after giving guidance], then [with the] entire family recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name] [阿弥陀佛]. Without one matter [that] may [be] asked, also without one matter [to] hand over, everyone [should with the] same sound recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name].
若自己有把握，自己会洗澡换衣，则甚好。
If oneself has certainty, [that] oneself can bathe [and] change clothes, [this is] then extremely good.
若自己不能，则万不可预为抹澡、换衣、问事、哭泣等。
If oneself [is] not able [to], then [there] absolutely must not [be] in advance for [the] person wiping [and] washing, changing clothes, asking [about] matters, crying [and] others.
一有此种瞎张罗，定规破坏正念，不得往生矣。
Once having these kinds [of] blind [making of] plans [and] preparations, [they will] definitely destroy Right Mindfulness, [and the person will] not attain rebirth [in Pure Land].
令将亡人面向西方，面前供一尊接引佛，作随佛往生想。
[The] person about [to] die [should be] enabled [to] face towards [the] Western direction, in front offering a Buddha image receiving [and] guiding, [to] create following [the] Buddha [for] rebirth’s contemplation.
一直念到气断已过三点钟后，（此至少时，尚宜多念。）再为洗换哭泣等，则不致贻误大事。
Continuously reciting until breathing [has] ended already, passing three hours later, ([While] this [is the] least time, [it is] still suitable [to have] more recitation.), then is washing [and] changing clothes, [with] crying [and] others, then not likely to bungle [the] great matter [of reaching Pure Land].
哭泣亦不可废，当以息哀念佛为事，切弗以哭泣做假场面。
[If] crying also cannot [be] terminated, [there] should [be] with ceasing [of] grief [with] reciting [of Āmítuó]fó[’s name] as [the] practice. [There] must not [be] with crying making false scenes.
老人临终如是，年轻人亦如是，则定可往生。
[For] old persons approaching [life’s] end like this, [for] young persons also like this, then can [they] definitely [be] reborn [in Pure Land].
《复夏寿祺居士书》
Reply Letter [To] Layperson Xià Shòuqí
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
