[517] 亲人临命终时应如何处理？
[517] How Should Close Ones When Approaching [Life’s] End [Be] Handled?
◎ 人生百岁，亦有去日，切不可作无益之悲伤。但宜劝彼一心念佛。最忌者，未死先哭及瞎张罗，令彼难往生矣。此等事，《文钞》、《嘉言录》，皆已详言。至于死后，只可念佛。切勿做水陆、念经、拜忏。以此等事，皆是做场面耳。虚张声势，殊少实益。
◎ [Summary]: [As] humans [who] live [to a] hundred years, also [will] have departure’s day, [you] absolutely must not become sorrowful, [which is] without benefits. [It is] only suitable [to] encourage him [to] wholeheartedly recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name (阿弥陀佛)]. That [to be] abstained [from] most, [is to, when] yet [to] die, first cry and blindly make plans [and] preparations, causing him [to be] difficult [to be] reborn [in Pure Land]. This kind [of] practices, [are in the] Collected Writings [and] Excellent Words’ Record, all already detailedly spoken. As for after death, [there] only can [be] reciting [of Āmítuó]fó[’s name. There] must not [be] doing [of the] Water [And Land Dharma Assembly’s service], reciting [of] sutras [and] prostrating [with] repentance prayers. With these kind [of] practices, all are [for] creating scenes only. Falsely exaggerating [to show] prestige [and] influence, [there are] really few true benefits.
今日回山，适由山转来汝书，知汝父将欲去世。
Today returning [to the] mountain, just from [the] mountain, forwarded [with] your letter, knowing [that] your father will [be] about [to] pass away.
须知人生百岁，亦有去日，切不可作无益之悲伤。
[It] must [be] known [that as] humans [who] live [to a] hundred years, also [will] have departure’s day, [you] absolutely must not become sorrowful, [which is] without benefits.
但宜劝彼一心念佛，如在牢狱，思归家乡，不可有一毫留恋心。
[It is] only suitable [to] encourage him [to] wholeheartedly recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name (阿弥陀佛)], like [one] in prison, contemplating returning [to one’s] homeland, [there] must not be one fine hair [of the] mind [with] attachment [to] stay.
汝与家中眷属，宜分班在前念佛，令彼摄耳详听。
You, with family members within [the] family, should take shifts before [him to] recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name, to] enable [him the] gather [it in his] ears, [to] completely hear [it].
至若去世之时，彼若能自行澡浴换衣，则甚好。否则切不可先行为彼洗澡换衣，以致搬来搬去，身心不安，或生嗔恨，则其害匪浅。
As for when passing away, if he [is] able [to] voluntarily wash [and] change clothes, [this is] then extremely good. Otherwise, [there] absolutely must not [be] preceding [with], for him bathing [and] changing clothes, so that [there is] moving here [and] moving there. [With the] body [and] mind not [at] peace, perhaps giving rise [to] anger [and] resentment, then [are] those harms not shallow.
即不难受，由搬动故，心亦不清净，便难仗佛慈力，往生西方矣。
Even if not feeling pain, due [to] moving [and] touching thus, [with the] mind also not pure, then difficult [to] rely on [the] Buddha’s compassionate power, [to be] reborn [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)].
当此之时，家中眷属，通皆念佛。一直念到断气，过三点钟，然后停佛声，为彼抹澡洗衣。
When [at] this moment, family members within [the] family, [should] all recite [Āmítuó]fó[’s name]. Continuously reciting until stopping [of] breathing, passing three hours, after that stopping [the] Buddha’s sound, for him sponge bathing [and] ‘washing’ [or changing] clothes.
若臂腕已硬，穿衣不便者，当用热水毛巾，拓在肩上臂腕上，不久即活动可穿矣。
If those arms [and] wrists [are] already stiff, [with] wearing [of] clothes not convenient, [there] should [be] using [of a] towel [with] warm water, rubbing at [the] shoulders above, arms [and] wrists above. Not long then movable, [there] can [be] wearing.
最忌者，未死先哭，令彼生悲恋心，便难往生矣。此等事，《文钞》、《嘉言录》，皆已详言。恐汝不留心，故又说之。
That [to be] abstained [from] most, [is to, when] yet [to] die, first crying, causing him [to] give rise [to] sorrow [and] attachment’s mind, [to] then [be] difficult [to be] reborn [in Pure Land]. These kinds [of] practices, [are in the] Collected Writings [and] Excellent Words’ Record, all already detailedly spoken. Fearing you [might have] not paid attention, thus again speaking [of] them.
至于死后，只可念佛。切勿做水陆、念经、拜忏。以此等事，皆是做场面耳。虚张声势，殊少实益。
As for after death, [there] only can [be] reciting [of Āmítuó]fó[’s name. There] must not [be] doing [of the] Water [And Land Dharma Assembly’s service], reciting [of] sūtras [and] prostrating [with] repentance prayers. With these kinds [of] practices, all are [for] creating scenes only. Falsely exaggerating [to show] prestige [and] influence, [there are] really few true benefits.
又丧中一概不可用酒肉。儒家古礼，丧中严禁酒肉。若用，人便以为失德。
Also, without exception, [there] must not [be] usage [of] alcohol [and] meat within [the] funeral. [In] Confucian ancient rituals, alcohol [and] meat [are] strictly forbidden within funerals [too]. If using [them], others [will] then [be] with [this] as loss of virtue.
《复朱智贞居士书一》
First Reply Letter [To] Layperson Zhū Zhìzhēn
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
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Previous Question And Answer:
老年人怎样为往生做好准备？
[516] How Should Old People Prepare Well For Rebirth?
https://purelanders.com/2026/05/29/516-how-should-old-people-prepare-well-for-rebirth
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Next Question And Answer:
平时练习助念有什么重要意义？
[518] In Normal Times Practising Support-Chanting Has What Important Value?
https://purelanders.com/2026/05/18/518-in-normal-times-practising-support-chanting-has-what-important-value
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
