〈五會念佛〉錄音帶之功用
簡繁轉換 - 繁體
林鈺堂居士指導
陳純真女居士記述
一、〈五會念佛〉的緣起
淨土宗四祖法照大師，於定中進入西方極樂世界，於彼佛國土，聞佛、菩薩眾、水鳥、樹林皆唱「五會念佛」。佛告之曰：「眾生遇此法寶，便能念佛，即此一生，定超苦海，登不退轉。」故囑其廣傳此法。
法照大師所記之〈五會念佛〉樂譜，年代湮遠，已經失傳。幸蒙近代觀本法師留心此事，於日本出版之《大藏》中尋獲該譜之簡述，據以重譜新曲，並從此大力提倡，以此清淨梵音普渡眾生。
此譜近年再蒙法振法師調整，並指導圓光佛學院同學合唱，配以鋼琴伴奏，錄製適合早晚課使用之〈五會念佛〉音帶，以弘揚流通。
二、本帶特點
林居士為便利平日念佛不斷及臨終助念，而設計此帶。雖據法振法師製作之帶，但略去前首「讚佛偈」及末尾「迴向偈」，只取中間念佛部分反覆錄製。錄音帶的長度，則特別選用九十分鐘者，一則因為六十分鐘帶子轉面較繁，二則因一百二十分鐘帶子太薄易斷。
三、如何利用本帶
隨時隨地可聽，或伴唱，使心中佛號不斷。唱佛易使情感融入，而自然達到一心念佛。
家中常放此樂，可使家庭氣氛轉為安詳和諧，而佛號亦於不知不覺中，深植全家心田。此舉對兒童特別有益，因為要勸他們念佛較難，但是聽慣了，他們自然也就會唱。有時還可用做催眠曲。
家人或佛友共修時，可以放來伴唱。唱累或念累時可以靜聽。
病時常聽此樂，可保心中寧靜，業障潛消，有助早癒。
臨終之時，若不易得佛友助念，可不斷播放此帶助念。
誠願大家複製、流通此帶及此文，廣結善緣，使更多有情由樂入佛，共臻淨土。
Functions of the Tape of
Five-variation Chanting of Amitabha
Under the guidance of Dr. Yutang Lin
Written by Chun-Jane Chen
Edited by Ann Klein
I. The Origination of the "Five-Variation Chanting of Amitabha"
The Reverend Fa-Zhao, the fourth Patriarch of the Chinese Pureland School, entered the Pureland through his meditation; he heard Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, water, birds and trees, all singing the Five-variation Chanting of Amitabha. Amitabha Buddha told him that any sentient beings who encounter this Dharma treasure will want to chant the Buddha’s name. By doing so, they will surely cross the ocean of suffering and reach the shore of no regression in just one lifetime. Then Buddha entrusted him to propagate this method extensively.
However, the music score as dictated by the Reverend Fa-Zhao had been lost for ages. Fortunately, in the 1930’s, the Reverend Guan-Ben researched this matter and found two brief descriptions of that music score in the Japanese Tripitakas. Based on such descriptions, the Reverend Guan-Ben composed his own version, and disseminated that melodious chanting in order to bring about the ultimate salvation of all sentient beings.
In recent years, the Reverend Fa-Zhen rearranged this score, and with the accompaniment of the piano, the chorus of the Yuan-Guang Buddhist Institute taped it for circulation. However, it is designed for the morning and evening services, therefore, it contains praises at the beginning and dedication of merits at the end of the tape.
II. Special Characteristics of this Tape
Dr. Lin designed this tape for the daily practice of continuously chanting "Amitabha," and to assist dying persons to maintain the chanting during their final hours. He adopted the Reverend Fa-Zhen’s tape, but omitted the praises and the dedication of merits. He recorded only the chanting of Amitabha, repeatedly, on a 90-minute cassette. Dr. Lin felt that the 60-minute cassette needed to be reversed too frequently, and the 120-minute cassette was too thin and could break easily.
III. How to Utilize this Tape
Listen to it anytime, anywhere, and sing with it to keep a constant flow of "Amitabha" in your mind. Through singing the Buddha’s name, it is easier to release one’s feelings into it; and it will also help one achieve single-mindedness naturally.
By playing this tape at home frequently, the atmosphere will become harmonious and peaceful, and the Buddha’s name will be implanted deeply into the hearts of the family. It is especially helpful in teaching children to chant, because when they are used to hearing it, they will sing it spontaneously. This tape could also be played as a lullaby.
For the group-practice of chanting "Amitabha," this tape can be played as an accompaniment. When people get tired from chanting, they could just listen to it attentively.
During an illness, one can listen to this tape to feel calm and peaceful; the karmic obstacles will gradually be removed, and one’s health will be restored sooner.
During a dying person’s final hours, it is not easy for friends to gather to help with chanting, therefore, this tape can be played continuously to help maintain one’s peace.
I sincerely wish that people would duplicate and circulate this tape and article freely, so that more sentient beings will be able to share the benefits and eventually gain rebirth in Amitabha’s Pureland.
December 1, 1990
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