Question: Why is offering of guidance (开示) and support-chanting (助念) crucial for the dying?
Answer: Without instructional guidance given, the dying might not know or remember how to position their minds, and their last thoughts, if unskilful in nature, will lead to rebirths in a lower realms with more suffering.
Without support-chanting using Buddha’s name (e.g. 阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó), this most skilful thought is difficult to arise and sustain, for connecting to him, so as to have the best rebirth, in his Pure Land (净土).
Question: Is there a simple example of a worst-case scenario if the dying lack guidance and support-chanting?
Answer: If the dying have very evil karmas (恶业) ripening, karmic creditors (冤亲债主) might appear to ‘force’ them to be ‘mindful’ of them, as malevolent ghosts. With their last thoughts being of ghosts (instead of the Buddha), they can die from fear suddenly and become malevolent ghosts too. This is how easily and quickly they can fall to become restless and suffering spirits.
相关教理
Related Teachings:
死亡前后与丧礼中后的诵念
What To Chant When Dying, After Death, During And After Wakes
https://purelanders.com/wake
《临终三大要》
The Three Great Essentials When Approaching Death
https://purelanders.com/now
Related Testimony:
[78] How I Guided My Gugu To Reach Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/2021/04/10/how-i-guided-my-gugu-to-reach-pure-land
