No man should be held responsible for the words he utters in grief.

You do not have to accept to become seperated from your loved ones.

Cultivate Pure Land together, diligently!

Mothers and children, husbands and wives. A person's family and dependents are all there due to the nexus of causal factors from past lives. Temporarily they join together, but in the end they must be parted. This in itself is not sad or painful. What is sad and painful is to pass a lifetime in vain, without being mindful of Buddha, without practicing Buddha-remembrance.

Master Chu-hung

If your parents are still alive at home, do not wait too long to encourage them to recite the buddha-name.

If your parents are dead, and you want to help them, recite the buddha-name on their behalf for three years, or if this is not possible, for a solid year, or else for forty-nine days. Any of these options will do.

Master Tsung-pen

If you want to help someone who has already departed, you should first create merit by reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha. You can also additional burn incense and make offerings.

After this, transfer the merit to him or her by saying,

I universally transfer the merit of this deed
To [my former wife Susan, my father Peter, my son Hank].
May [he, she] soon be born in
The Land of Ultimate Bliss and Peace of Amitabha Buddha.


Non-Buddhists, Atheists and Ignorant People
If people simply hear the name of Amitabha Buddha it removes the sins of countless eons of birth and death. This is even more true if they keep it in mind. One repetition of "Hail to Amitabha Buddha" wipes away the serious bad karma of eight billions eons of birth and death.

Strangers
You receive great merit if you make a precious gift to a stranger, or even an opponent, by just mentioning the name of Amitabha in his or her presence.

Pets and Animals
Hearing the name of Amitabha wipes away serious evil karma of all sentient beings; also those of animals. Beings in the animal realm are stupid and ignorant, but at least they can hear the words. If you want to help any animal to have a better next life, just invoke the name of Amitabha in his presence. If you have a pet you really love a lot, and can also recite the name of Amitabha and dedicate the merit to the pet. This could even help the pet to attain birth as a lower human being in his next life. It also works for beloved pets who already have passed away.