樂邦文類 4.60

4.60

問：臨終作善便得往生，何假預前修諸勝業？答：人生壽夭難測，或即病困昏迷、或即非時奄逝。既關生前之善，難逃後世之殃。預作善緣，恐防斯咎。

Question: If by doing good at the end of life one can attain rebirth, why bother cultivating various superior deeds beforehand? Answer: Human lifespan and early death are difficult to fathom; one may suddenly become confused and comatose through illness, or pass away untimely. Having failed to cultivate good in this life, it is difficult to escape calamity in future lives. Doing good deeds in advance is to prevent such a fault.