第七条原则：临终助念，化解障难
[7] The Seventh Principle: When Approaching Life’s End, With Support-Chanting, Dissolve Obstacles And Difficulties
念佛之人，当劝父母念佛求生西方。
Of people mindful of Āmítuófó’s name (阿弥陀佛), they should encourage their fathers and mothers to be mindful of Āmítuófó’s name to seek birth in his Western Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界).
然欲父母临终决定往生西方，非预为眷属说临终助念及瞎张罗，并哭泣之利害不可。
However, desiring fathers and mothers, when approaching life’s end, to definitely be reborn in the Western Pure Land, if not in advance for family members speaking of the benefits and harms of, when approaching life’s end with support-chanting, and blindly making plans and preparations and crying, this is not possible.
故欲父母临终得眷属助念之益，不受破坏正念之害者，非平时为说念佛之利益，令彼各各常念不可。
Thus, desiring fathers and mothers, when approaching life’s end, to attain benefits of family members’ support-chanting, to not receive that destroying their Right Mindfulness, if not in normal times for them speaking the benefits of mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name, to enable them, each and every one, to be constantly mindful, this is not possible.
如是，则不独有益于父母，实有益于现生眷属、后世子孙也。
Thus, then not only having benefits for fathers and mothers, truly having benefits for present living family members, later generations’ children and grandchildren too.
临终助念，无论老少，均当如是。详看《饬终津梁》，及后列《临终三要》，自知。
On support-chanting when approaching life’s end, regardless of the old or young, all should know thus. For details, see Bridge With Admonitions For The End, and the Three Great Essentials When Approaching Life’s End listed behind to personally know this.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《一函遍复》
(One Letter As A Common Reply)
