2025年2月5日：【人生一口气】Life:a Single Breath
前几天晚上，临时接到一个关于临终关怀的请求。对方是第一次联系到道场，是为他年迈的母亲而请。老人家正处于弥留之际，呼吸困难，希望能得到临终关怀与开示。他曾尝试联系其他寺院，但当时他们无法安排临终关怀的服务，便提供了净土宗道场的联系方式，说：联系这里，那边的师父应该有办法可以安排。于是，他就找上门来询问。恰好那天晚上道场没有共修，身边也有几位义工，于是便立即带着他们前往，为老人家开示并带领家属念佛。
一进去，首先感受到房内磁场不太理想，于是赶紧开启随身带的念佛机，然后和义工及家属一起为老人家念佛。
那时老人家处于半昏迷的状态。说她清醒，却无法正常沟通；说她昏迷，手脚又还能动，神情也不似全然昏迷。她鼻子插着呼吸管，每一次呼吸都显得十分辛苦，好像要用尽力气挣扎才能喘上一口。
突然想起华人常说的一句俗语：“人生就是要争一口气。” 原本以为这只是鼓励话语，没想到却是如此残酷的现实：一口气若没了，这一生便画上句号。前不久还有一位大明星在日本旅行时染上流感，短短五天内就骤然离世，年仅四十八岁，着实令人震惊。可见，人生只是一口气，无论老少，概莫能外。
由此再想，人生为了一口气而活，也可能为这一口气而去。那究竟有什么值得争的？不论争个输赢，到了最后都抵不过这口气而已。不如用这仅存的一口气来称念佛号，获无量功德，更为有益。
回到刚才的老人家，她实在呼吸得很辛苦。于是我带着义工和家属继续为老人家念佛，随后换成更缓慢节奏的佛号，希望老人家能慢慢聆听，放松身心。接着再安慰她：“不用担心，不要害怕，阿弥陀佛就在我们身边，护佑着我们。”
令人欣慰的是，在场的帮佣学得很快，虽然她的华语并不熟练，却一边照顾老人家，一边跟着念佛，还用略带口音的中文轻声对老人家说：“奶奶，师父说不用怕，有「南無阿彌陀佛」。” 慢慢地，老人家的表情在众人的念佛声中变得安详了。诚如所愿，阿弥陀佛的慈悲护佑确实不可思议。
南無阿彌陀佛
≡ 净本法师记录 ≡
English Translation: 【Life:a Single Breath】
A few nights ago, we suddenly received a request for end-of-life care. It was the first time this individual had contacted our monastery, seeking help for his elderly mother who was on the brink of passing. She was having difficulty breathing and hoped to receive guidance and support during her final moments. He had tried reaching out to other temples but, at that time, they were unable to arrange such care. They suggested contacting our Pure Land center, saying, “Reach out here; the master there should be able to help.” And so, he came to inquire.
By chance, there was no session at the monastery that evening, and I had a few volunteers with me. We immediately headed over to provide some guidance and to lead the family in chanting the Buddha’s name.
As soon as we entered the room, we could sense that the atmosphere was not ideal, so we quickly turned on our portable chanting machine. Then, together with the volunteers and the family, we started reciting the Buddha’s name for the elderly mother.
At that time, she was in a semi-comatose state. On the one hand, she seemed conscious yet was unable to communicate normally; on the other, she appeared unconscious, but her limbs could still move, and she didn’t look fully comatose. She had a breathing tube in her nose, and every breath she took seemed extremely labored, as though it required all her strength just to catch it.
Suddenly, I recalled an old Chinese saying: “Life is about fighting for that one breath.” I used to think it was just an encouraging phrase; I never imagined it could reflect such a harsh reality. Once that breath is gone, one’s entire life comes to an end. Not long ago, there was a famous celebrity who passed away in Japan after contracting the flu. In just five short days, she abruptly left this world at the age of 48. It was truly shocking. This shows how all life hinges on a single breath—no one is exempted, whether old or young.
Reflecting on this further: we fight to live for a single breath, and we may also depart because of that same breath. So, is there anything truly worth struggling for? No matter who wins or loses, in the end, it all boils down to that one breath. We would do better to use whatever breath remains to recite the Buddha’s name, gain the infinite merit, which is far more meaningful.
Returning to the elderly mother, she was truly struggling to breathe. I continued leading the volunteers and family in reciting the Buddha’s name, then switched to a slower rhythm, hoping she could gradually hear it and relax her body and mind. I gently reassured her: “Don’t worry, do not be afraid. Amitabha Buddha is right here with us, protecting us.”
What touched me was how quickly the caregiver in attendance caught on. Though not very fluent in Mandarin, she chanted softly while taking care of the elderly mother and spoke in gently accented Chinese: “Grandma, Shifu says there’s no need to be afraid. We have ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha.’” Slowly, the elderly mother’s expression became more peaceful under the sound of everyone’s chanting. Just as we had hoped, the compassionate protection of Amitabha Buddha proved truly remarkable.
Namo Amitabha Buddha
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｜南無阿彌陀佛｜
