念佛鏡 2.106

2.106

答曰：「此法僧俗、男女未念佛人，用之皆得往生，決無疑矣！余多見世人，於平常念佛、禮讚，發願求生西方。及致病來，却又怕死，都不說著往生解脫之事，直待氣消命盡，識投冥界，方始十念鳴鐘。恰如賊去關門，濟何事也？死門事大，須是自家著力始得。若一念差錯，歷劫受苦，誰人相代？思之！思之！若無事時，當以此法精進念佛，竭力受持，是為臨終大事。可謂一條蕩蕩西方路，徑直歸家莫問津。」

The answer states: "If monastics and laypeople, men and women who have never practiced buddhānusmṛti in their lives, apply this method, they will all attain rebirth; there is definitely no doubt! I have often seen people in the world who ordinarily practice buddhānusmṛti, bow and praise, and make vows seeking rebirth in the West. But when illness arrives, they instead fear death and do not mention at all the matter of rebirth and liberation. Only when their breath is spent, their life has ended, and consciousness has plunged into the netherworld do [others] finally begin the ten recitations and strike the bell. This is just like locking the gate after the thief has fled—what good does it do? The matter of the gate of death is momentous; you must apply effort yourself for it to succeed. If there is a single errant thought, you will endure suffering across kalpas; who could take your place? Ponder this! Ponder this! When you are free of adversity, you should use this method to diligently practice buddhānusmṛti and uphold it with all your strength—this is the great matter of the end of life. It can be called: 'A single, vast and open road to the West; go straight home and ask no directions.'"