[518] 平时练习助念有什么重要意义？
[518] [In] Normal Times Practising Support-Chanting Has What Important Value?
◎ 平时眷属常练习助念，一则以娱高堂；二则令彼各种善根；三则知晓助念及瞎张罗哭泣之利害。一但令慈归西之时，可助其往生也。
◎ [Summary]: [If in] normal times [with] family members constantly practising support-chanting, [the] first aspect, [is] with [this] pleasing [your] parents. [The] second aspect, [is that this] enables those [to] each plant good roots. [The] third aspect, [is] knowing [the] benefits [and] harms of support-chanting and blind making [of] plans [and] preparations [and] crying. Once when your esteemed mother [is] ‘returning’ [to the] West[ern Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)], [these] can assist her [to be] reborn [in Pure Land].
令慈年近八十，尚欲皈依，可谓宿有善根。然当此风烛高年，固当深为计虑。今为寄《饬终津梁》三本，自存之外，给与王陈二人。
Your esteemed mother, near eighty, still desiring [to] take refuge, can [be] said [to] have past good roots. However, when [at] this candle [in the] wind’s high year, [there] certainly should deeply for [this have] consideration. Now for [you] sending three copies [of] Bridge [With] Admonitions [For The] End, excluding keeping of [one for] yourself, give [the others to] Wáng [and] Chén, [these] two persons.
当令家中眷属，换班日陪令慈念佛。
[There] should [be, with] family members within your family, changing shifts daily [to] accompany your esteemed mother [to] recite [Āmítuó]fó’s name (阿弥陀佛)].
一则以娱高堂；二则令彼各种善根；三则练习惯，则令慈归西之时，大家均为助念之人。
[The] first aspect, [is] with [this] pleasing [your] parents. [The] second aspect, [is that this] enables those [to] each plant good roots. [The] third aspect, [is that with this] practice accustomed to, then when your esteemed mother [is] ‘returning’ [to the] West[ern Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)], everyone [can] all be those support-chanting persons.
若不令常练习，并不常为说临终之助念，及瞎张罗哭泣之利害，则所有眷属，通是破坏正念者。此事最为要紧。
If not enabling constant practice, also not constantly for [them] speaking of support-chanting [when] approaching [life’s] end, and [the] benefits [and] harms of blindly [making] plans [and] preparations [and] crying, then all family members, are all those destroying Right Mindfulness. This practice is [the] most important.
若无人说，难免贻误，则无边利益，以此失之，殊堪痛心。光不能详说，《饬终津梁》乃详说之书。
If without people speaking [on this, it is] difficult [to] avoid bungling [it, which is] then without boundless benefits, with this losing them, [it] can [be] especially heartbreaking. [Yìn]guāng [is] not able [to] detailedly speak [on this, while] Bridge [With] Admonitions [For The] End [is] thus [the] book that detailedly speaks [on this].
人之于亲，临终助念，当竭诚从事。故先须家中眷属豫为练习也。
Of persons for relatives, approaching [life’s] end [practising] support-chanting, [they] should wholeheartedly do [the] practice. Thus, [there] first must be, [with] family members within [the] family, beforehand doing practice.
既常念，并常闻助念及破坏之利害，则便可一致进行，而为助其往生也。
Already constantly reciting, also constantly hearing support-chanting, and [the] benefits [and] harms of [supporting and] destroying [it], then can [all] easily [and] unanimously advance [in personal] practice, and for assisting those [to be] reborn [in Pure Land].
《复方耀廷居士书二》
Second Reply Letter [To] Layperson Fāng Yàotíng
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
