一个小方法，可以成就无量佛陀

Someone had asked on the web about how to benefit beings that were about to be killed in a market or some other places if there was not enough money to buy their freedom. The easy way is simply to recite the Buddha’s names to them. If you happen to have some pure nectar pills, feed them those. Otherwise, just recite the Buddha’s names and mantras. The merit of reciting and hearing the Buddha’s names and mantras is beyond imagination, which undoubtedly will benefit the poor beings.

前段时间网络上也有人问：有时候我们在市场上或其他地方，会遇到一些即将被宰杀的生命，要买它们也没有那么多钱，该怎么去饶益它们呢？很简单，给它们念佛。如果随身带了一些清净的甘露丸，就喂给它们；如果没有，则佛号、咒语随时可以念。佛号、咒语的功德是不可思议的，念了一定会对它们有利。

For example, as recorded in many sutras, simply by reciting the heart mantra of Shakyamuni Buddha (om muni muni mahamuniye svaha) had in the past led many to the attainment of Buddhahood.

比如，我们经常念释迦牟尼佛的心咒“达雅他，嗡牟尼牟尼玛哈牟尼耶梭哈”。往昔仅仅依靠这句圣号，就成就了无量的佛陀。这一点在很多经书上都有记载。

Moreover, having an unselfish motivation is also very important when reciting the Buddha’s names and mantras. Selfishness has been part of the human nature since beginningless time. If one were to recite the Buddha’s names and mantras to other beings for one’s own sake，the action would not be deemed an exemplification of Mahayana practice. Nonetheless, it is still far better than not reciting at all. In the Tibetan Canon, there are texts specially intended for offering of Dharma, which are not available in the Chinese texts. If needed, one can substitute with recitation of pratitya-essence mantra (essence of dependent origination) instead. The key is that recitation must be performed when liberating living beings, even for just a single being, because it can help many of them to eventually attain liberation from samsara.

念佛号、咒语的时候，发心是很重要的，不能有自私心。无始以来，我们的自私习气很浓厚，如果给它们念佛只是为了自己的健康、长寿，这不是大乘佛法。但无论如何，念总比不念好。藏文仪轨里有一些特殊的法布施，汉文仪轨里没有，但念缘起咒也可以代替。放生的时候，即使是放一条鱼，也必须要念。因为这样念佛之后，很多众生就能得到解脱。

In addition, palms should be held together at the chest level (as in prayer) during the recitation. It is explained in the Aspiration Prayers to be born in Sukhavati that pressing hands together in this fashion signifies veneration of and praying to Amitabha Buddha. Remember that even to press palms together just once can dispel eons of karmic obstacles. So be sure to do likewise. At the same time, we should visualize in earnest that we are holding palms and reciting the Buddha’s names and mantras on behalf of these beings. Through our endeavor, they will be able to receive the merit，remove tremendous karmic hindrances and swiftly attain enlightenment. This is very crucial.

另外，念佛的时候还要合掌。为什么要合掌呢？《极乐愿文》解释里讲过，合掌是为了向阿弥陀佛表示恭敬，为了祈祷阿弥陀佛。合掌一次也可以遣除很多大劫的业障，所以要合掌。要一心一意观想我们替这些生命合掌，替这些生命念咒、念佛的圣号。这样，它们就能够得到这些功德，就能够清净很大的业障，就能够很快成就。这一点非常重要。