Amituofo revealed rebirth time in the Pure Land to my elderly, dementia, ‘Namo Amituofo’ reciter mother.
By Dharma Master Jing Ben
Householder Fo Yuan once shared with us her mother's experience. Fo Yuan who has officially taken refuge in our Pristine Pure Land school, is an Amitabha-reciter. However, her elderly mother was a Christian. One day, during her visit to Fo Yuan's house, the elderly mother was fascinated by the recitation of 'Namo Amituofo' playing in the background from the Amitabha-recitation device. So, she told Fo Yuan she would love to have an Amitabha-recitation device too. Initially, Fo Yuan was quite reluctant to give it to her. She told her mother, "You are a believer of Christianity but not Buddhism, why would you need an Amitabha-recitation device?" However, seeing that her mother was adamant in having one, Fo Yuan relented and acceded to her request.
In 2010, the elderly mother was diagnosed with dementia. At that time, her mind was always in a state of confusion, she could not remember things and needed assistance to perform everyday activities. She could only rely on Fo Yuan to take care of her. The remarkable thing was that she could still recite 'Namo Amituofo'. Despite having dementia, a confused mind, no sense of time for eating, drinking and sleeping, she remembered to move her mouth to the recitation of 'Namo Amituofo'. That was truly amazing!
Life continued in the same manner for more than three years. However, slightly more than twenty days before the old mother passed away, she declared to her family, "Amitabha Buddha is coming to deliver me". They knew she was living with dementia for years and dismissed it as some senseless, incoherent talk. Hence, nobody took her words seriously even though they heard that Amitabha Buddha was coming to deliver her. But two days before her passing, the old mother continued to say the same, however, her daughter Fo Yuan still did not believe her.
It was only when two days later, on the actual day of her passing, after Fo Yuan had bathed and finished dressing her up, her old mother suddenly said, "My time has come. I'm going to the Pure Land soon." Upon seeing her mother lying peacefully on bed, Fo Yuan began to believe her words. However, Fo Yuan was rather apprehensive at that moment. She was worried that if her mother had passed on then, their relatives would flock in to see her. Hence, Fo Yuan hoped that her mother would pass away during midnight so she could recite 'Namo Amituofo' for her. And it turned out to be so. The elderly mother really passed on at midnight. This enabled Fo Yuan to concentrate on reciting 'Namo Amituofo' for her mother without any external interference and to send her off in her final journey of life. The fact that the old mother was ‘informed’ by Amitabha Buddha 20 days in advance of her passing, was an affirmation that she would certainly be reborn in the Pure Land. Hence, an assisted Amitabha-recitation after her passing would not be necessary. Nevertheless, it was Fo Yuan's wish to recite 'Namo Amituofo' for her mother. Well, that was good too. The next morning when relatives and friends arrived to deal with her funeral arrangements, they discovered that the old mother's body was soft and supple, and she didn't appear dead either as she was still looking good.
This is the story of an elderly, dementia, ‘Namo Amituofo’ reciter mother who received from Amitaha Buddha the time of her rebirth in the Pure Land. Most of us have misapprehension concerning people with dementia: Their minds are in a state of confusion, they do not understand what's going on and need help in feeding, bathing or even sleeping as they are unable to distinguish between daytime and night-time. So are these people with dementia able to attain rebirth in the Pure Land? This is a disturbing question for all, especially the elderly who are bothered by it. In fact, from the story we have shared today, an Amitabha-reciter will have no problem attaining rebirth in the Pure Land. This elderly Amitabha-reciter had been living with her dementia condition for three years before she eventually passed away. However, her rebirth in Pure Land was unimpeded by her dementia condition. She could even inform her family members twenty days in advance that Amitabha Buddha would be delivering her to the Pure Land. So, how could this be false? Would an elderly mother with dementia deliberately lie that Amitabha Buddha was coming to deliver her? And it was spot on? And coincidentally she said so before she passed on that day? Therefore, these were factual and it was genuinely true that she was delivered by Amitabha Buddha to the Pure Land.
Why was it so remarkable? How would a helpless dementia old lady like her easily attain rebirth in the Pure Land? Just as mentioned in the ‘Buddha Dhyana Samadhisagara Sutra’: "The illumination of the Amitabha Buddha's mind light is forever seeking out and rescuing the multitudes of afflicted sentient beings who have no recourse to their constant suffering." That is to say, the light of Amitabha Buddha specifically searches for and saves those sentient beings who have no means of saving themselves and are in constant suffering.
Let's think about it, if we have two children: one who is able to take care of himself and is a great doctor; but the other child, due to his causative karma, is a disabled person who cannot eat or bathe by himself. What would you do in such circumstances? Would you say, to be fair, when feeding the handicapped child, I would also feed the child who is a doctor? Would you do that? Of course not! Even if you had wanted to, the doctor (child) would be unwilling. As parents, we would inevitably spend more time taking care of the sick child who requires additional care. There is no need to worry about the child who is healthy and is capable of taking care of himself.
Hence the Buddha says in “Nirvana Sutra”: "For example, a person has seven children. One of the children has fallen ill. It is not that the love of parents for other children is unequal when they care more for the sick child. In the same manner, the Buddha is not unfair in his treatment of all sentient beings. Buddha’s heart will focus more to the sinners." Seeing the multitudes of beings who suffer from their afflictions, the great merciful and compassionate Amitabha Buddha worries about them, like a mother worries sick of her seriously ill child. Amitabha-reciters are just like the children of Amitabha Buddha. So even though he recites the name of Amitabha Buddha and may appear to be in a state of confusion when faced with karmic obstructions in his later years, all the more Amitabha Buddha will surely take extra care of him. How can Amitabha Buddha just give up when karma obstacles manifest? It should be that as the sick child gets seriously ill, he gets even more care and attention from his parents. For example, if one day, the hospital called, "So-and-so, your child had a car accident, and now he is in a coma in the hospital." As parents, we would have rushed to the hospital at the very first instant. No one would say, "since the child is in a coma, he is useless, I will not care about him, let him die in the hospital." It's simply impossible! When a child is in trouble, parents will be the first to go to his aid and care for him. How is it possible that they give up on him? Even parents will do all they can for their children, not to mention the merciful and compassionate Amitabha Buddha. Think about it, we recite 'Namo Amituofo' every day. However, in our later years we encountered karmic obstacles and lapsed into a coma, contracted dementia, or became muddled-headed. As a result, Amitabha makes a clean break and says, "Forget it, you have dementia, I don't care about you. The 'Namo Amituofo' you have been reciting for decades doesn't count!" If so, this Amitabha Buddha is ‘too cruel’. How can he be said to be merciful and compassionate? Because if he can't even save the suffering and imperiled, how is he merciful and compassionate? Therefore, we must have misunderstood Amitabha Buddha. It was mentioned in the scripture, "The illumination of the Amitabha Buddha's mind light is forever seeking out and rescuing the multitudes of afflicted sentient beings who have no recourse to their constant suffering." Which makes it discernibly as Amitabha Buddha will surely save those sentient beings who have no means of saving themselves and are in constant suffering.
A case like this is the best example. The elderly mother was initially a non-buddhist. However, subsequently after Amitabha-recitation, she believed and accepted Amitabha Buddha's deliverance. In her later years, she slipped into dementia. The daughter mentioned that her mother had been living with dementia for three entire years and needed assistance in her everyday activities. However, she was eventually delivered by the merciful and compassionate Amitabha Buddha to the Pure Land. Therefore, this is truly the remarkable power of Amitabha-recitation and the Compassion of Amitabha Buddha. All who recite 'Namo Amituofo' will receive the benefits, no matter what. The merciful and compassionate Amitabha Buddha will never forsake Amitabha-reciters, just like parents will not abandon their children. So do not worry, rest assured, recite 'Namo Amituofo' everyday and entrust ourselves and our lives to Amitabha Buddha. (End)
Translation of excerpt from Master Jing Ben’s dharma talks
中文原稿 / 净本法师 述
有一位佛缘居士曾分享她妈妈的经历。佛缘是在本门道场皈依的莲友，是念佛人，但是她的老妈妈却是一位基督教徒。有一天，这位老妈妈来到她的家，刚好看到佛缘有念佛机在播放着佛号。老妈妈听到以后就想要一台。本来佛缘还不愿意给，因为她说：“您是信耶稣的，又不信我这个，给您做什么呢？” 但是老妈妈坚持要，所以佛缘还是给了。
在2010年的时候，老妈妈被诊断老年痴呆症。当时的她整个头脑常常不清醒，不记得自己做什么，甚至现在生活都不能自理，只能靠女儿佛缘在身边照顾。但是很特别的，老妈妈还记得念佛。虽然是老年痴呆症，虽然是头脑不清醒，吃喝睡觉都不会，但是嘴巴张开还记得念佛，就很特别就对了。
就这样过了3年多，在往生前20多天，老妈妈突然就跟家人说，“阿弥陀佛要来接我了”。但是大家都知道，老妈妈这几年是得到痴呆症，所以都以为她是乱讲话的。听到她说阿弥陀佛要来接也不管她。但是在往生前2天，老妈妈还是说同样一句，就说：“阿弥陀佛应该要来接我了。” 20天前是说“要来接我”；现在过了20天，变成“应该要来接我”。多了“应该”两个字。但是，女儿佛缘还是不相信。
就在2天后往生当天，当佛缘给老妈妈洗好澡，换好衣服，老妈妈突然又说：“我的时间到了，我要往生了。” 佛缘这个时候才有点相信，因为当时妈妈躺在床上很安详。但是，佛缘在那个时候有点紧张，因为她想，如果妈妈在这个时候走，可能有多亲戚朋友会来凑热闹，所以她希望妈妈是在半夜往生比较好，方便她给妈妈念佛。结果还真的，妈妈是在晚上12点往生的，佛缘正好可以全心全意，没有外缘干扰的情况之下念佛，送老妈妈最后一程。其实老妈妈这样预知时至（阿弥陀佛在20天前给她通知），肯定是往生的，也不必临终助念。只是佛缘的孝心，还是希望最后能够先念佛。这样也很好。等到第二天早上，亲戚朋友来了，开始处理身后事的时候，发现老妈妈的整个身体非常柔软，脸色也不像是过世的人，因为还是很好看。
这就是一位莲友的妈妈，老年痴呆症念佛还能预知时至的故事。我们一般人可能会误解，就想到这个老年痴呆症，头脑都不清醒，连自己都不知道自己在做什么，吃饭睡觉洗澡都没有办法，这样到底能不能往生到阿弥陀佛的净土？这个问题常常给人困扰，尤其一些年纪稍微年长的，会担心这样的问题。其实今天看了这个故事就知道，念佛人是完全没有问题的。这位念佛的老妈妈往生前3年都是在老年痴呆症的情况下度过的。但是还是没有障碍，还在20天前就告诉家人说阿弥陀佛要来接她了。所以这怎么可能会是假的呢？难道一个老年痴呆症，会故意骗人说阿弥陀佛要来接她吗？而且这么准？就在往生当天这么说？所以当然是真实蒙阿弥陀佛接引往生净土的。
那为什么会这么殊胜？连一个这样的老人都能到净土？因为就像《观佛三昧经》里面所讲的：“佛心光明所照，常照如此，无间无救诸苦众生”，就是说，阿弥陀佛的光明是专门救度那些没有办法救自己、长时间在痛苦的众生。比起大菩萨、大修行人，阿弥陀佛肯定是会优先救苦难众生的。佛门说“大慈大悲”，肯定是为了“救苦救难”的。大慈大悲难道是要救“观世音菩萨”、救“地藏王菩萨”吗？怎么可能大菩萨观世音、地藏王还要阿弥陀佛去救呢？所以大慈大悲肯定救苦救难，是救苦难人的。
想想看，如果我们今天有两个孩子：一个是自己能够照顾自己，是一个大医生；但是另外一个孩子，因缘不好，是一个残疾人士：饭也不能自己吃，洗澡也不会自己洗。请问，我们遇到这样的情况，我们会怎么做呢？我们会不会说要平等：我喂这个残疾的孩子吃饭，所以也要喂那个大医生孩子吃，这个叫平等。各位，您会这样吗？当然不可能。您愿意喂，那个当医生的孩子还不愿意给您喂呢。我们当父母的，肯定是多花时间去照顾那些生病、需要人照顾的孩子。健康的孩子可以照顾自己的，还可以先放一边。
所以佛说，“譬如一人而有七子，是七子中一子遇病。父母之心非不平等，然于病子心则偏多；如来亦尔。于诸众生非不平等。然于罪者，心则偏重。”父母是这样，阿弥陀佛慈悲也是一样。念佛人等于就是阿弥陀佛的孩子一样。所以他念佛了，如果过后真的业障现前，可能晚年变成头脑不清楚种种的，这样的人肯定阿弥陀佛会更加照顾。怎么可能说因为业障现前就放弃了呢？越是生病的孩子，越是会得到父母的照顾才对的嘛。今天讲得不好听，医院打电话来说：“某某某，您的孩子出车祸，现在在医院昏迷了。”那我们作为父母的，肯定第一时间就冲到医院去的。哪有说：“既然孩子昏迷，没有用了，我就不管他，让他死在医院好了”。根本不可能的嘛。孩子有事，父母甚至是第一位要照顾他的，怎么会放弃呢？父母既然都是这种情况，更何况大慈大悲的阿弥陀佛呢？想想看，我们天天念‘南无阿弥陀佛’，结果我们过后遇到障碍、昏迷、老人痴呆症、糊里糊涂，结果阿弥陀佛当下一刀两断：“算了，你痴呆，我就不管你了。之前念的几十年的‘南无阿弥陀佛’统统不算数！” 如果真的是这样，那这一尊阿弥陀佛也太残忍，怎么能说是慈悲呢？因为都不能救苦救难，怎么能说是慈悲呢？所以肯定是现代人对阿弥陀佛理解错误了。佛经是说，“佛心光明所照，常照如此，无间无救诸苦众生”，阿弥陀佛是对无间无救的苦难众生更加会摄取不舍才对。
像这个公案就是最好的例子。老妈妈一开始还是外教的，但是后来有信受念佛；老的时候还得到老年痴呆症。她女儿就说，老妈妈痴呆的状态整整3年，自己完全没有办法过生活的，但是最后还是蒙阿弥陀佛慈悲来接她到净土去，而且还算是一种预知时至，因为阿弥陀佛还是提前通知她的。所以这就是念佛的殊胜，这就是阿弥陀佛的慈悲。凡是念南无阿弥陀佛，不管如何都能得到利益就对了。慈悲的阿弥陀佛就是永远不会舍弃我们念佛人的，就好像爸爸妈妈不会把自己的孩子舍弃一样。所以我们不要担心，就每天就放心念佛交给阿弥陀佛就好。（完）
节录自净本法师《往生论注》第19讲
