廬山蓮宗寶鑑 8.23

8.23

The Sūtra of the Guardian of the Realm states: "The Buddha said: 'If a person at the time of death knows the time of arrival in advance, maintains clear correct mindfulness, washes, puts on clean clothes, and passes away in the auspicious posture, with light shining upon the body and seeing the Buddha's physical marks, with all wholesome signs manifesting together, know for certain that this person will definitely be born in the Pure Land. If a person practices buddhānusmṛti and upholds the precepts without a vigorous mind, and at the end of life has neither wholesome signs nor unwholesome signs, neither received by the underworld nor gathered in by Sukhāvatī, passing away as if in sleep—such a person has not severed doubts and is born in the City of Doubt; enjoying pleasure for five hundred years, they must cultivate faith and vows again before returning to the Pure Land. If a person gives rise to a mind of compassion, with correct mindfulness manifesting before them, feeling no love or craving for wealth, wife, or children, with clear eye expression, looking up with a smile, contemplating that the heavenly palace will come to welcome them, hearing heavenly music with their ears, and seeing heavenly children with their eyes, upon shedding this retribution body they will definitely be born in the heavenly realm. If a person generates a gentle mind, gives rise to a mind of merit, has no sickness or disaster in the body, is mindful of parents, wife, and children, is not confused in mind regarding good and evil, and with an upright mind bequeaths their family wealth, taking their leave and departing, they will definitely be born in the human realm. If a person glares at their relatives with wicked eyes, raises hands to clutch at empty space, defecates and urinates unconsciously, has a foul-smelling body, both eyes red, lies face down, curls up on the left side with all hundred joints aching, or sees evil signs, is unable to speak, groans and cries out as karmic creditors appear before them, has a scattered, crazed, and inverted consciousness, the entire body cold as ice, hands clenched in deathly fists, and the body stiff as stone, this person upon death will definitely enter hell. If a person is fond of licking their lips, has a body hot as fire, constantly suffers from hunger and thirst, loves to talk of food and drink, holds the mouth open without closing it, is greedy and attached to wealth, has difficulty drawing their last breath, and departs with eyes wide open, this person will definitely enter the hungry ghosts. If a person is afflicted with severe illness, as if amidst clouds and mist with a dim and scattered mental spirit, fears hearing the Buddha's name, has a great desire to eat the taste of blood and flesh, refuses to accept exhortation and transformation, is passionately attached to wife and children, curls the fingers and toes, sweats all over the body, utters rough and grating sounds, and chews foam in the mouth—if these signs manifest fully, they will definitely enter the animal realm.'"