[524] 断气后，最少应念几个小时的佛？
[524] After Stopping [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] stopped 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] stopped 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著
Written [By] 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
卷十：净土法门与临终关怀
Scroll Ten: Pure Land Dharma Door And Care [When] Approaching [Life’s] End
传印法师鉴定
Evaluated [By] Dharma Master Chuányìn
上个问答
Previous Question And Answer:
为什么临终时只可念佛，切勿另诵别种经咒？
[523] Why Can There Only Be Recitation Of Āmítuófó When Approaching Life’s End, And Must Not Be With Separate Recitations Of Other Kinds Of Sūtras And Mantras?
https://purelanders.com/2026/01/13/524-why-can-there-only-be-recitation-of-amituofo-when-approaching-lifes-end-and-must-not-be-with-separate-recitations-of-other-kinds-of-sutras-and-mantras
下个问答
Next Question And Answer:
生死事大，人所不免，最后一着，念佛人应如何以同体之悲心，助临终人成就往生大事？
[525] As Birth And Death’s Matters Great, Are Those People Cannot Avoid, For Their Final One Move, How Should People Reciting Āmítuófó’s Name, With The Compassionate Mind Of Having The Same Body, Support People Approaching Life’s End To Accomplish Rebirth In Pure Land’s Great Matter?
https://purelanders.com/2026/06/11/525-as-birth-and-deaths-matters-great
全部问答
All Questions And Answers:
卷十：净土法门与临终关怀
Scroll Ten: Pure Land Dharma Door And Care When Approaching Life’s End
https://purelanders.com/2026/06/12/pure-land-dharma-door-and-care-when-approaching-lifes-end
Námó Āmítuófó : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
《临终三大要》: 原文·白话·详解
The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Life’s End: Original, Simplified And Explanatory Text
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
