廬山蓮宗寶鑑 8.4

8.4

Firmly believing in the Pure Land and generating the mind to purify the Buddha is the time of planting seeds in the lotus pond. Single-mindedly practicing buddhānusmṛti and adorning with all virtues is the time of the lotus flower emerging from the water. When the merit of buddhānusmṛti is perfected and conditions for the Pure Land are ripe, it is the time of the flower opening to see the Buddha. A disciple of the Buddha serving the Buddha certainly first serves their parents, earnestly maintaining filial thoughts without abandoning them for an instant, accommodating the feelings of their parents and observing their expressions; if their health should falter in the least, one strives to harmonize it. Furthermore, one should reflect that the candle in the wind does not remain still, and must prepare for the moment of rebirth arriving. In advance, gather into a single document all the good conditions and good deeds cultivated by the parents throughout their lives along with the merits accumulated by others in assisting them, and read it to the parents from time to time, making the parents' hearts feel joyful. Furthermore, one should urge them to face west whether sitting or lying down, not forgetting the Pure Land. One should also face east to display an image of Amitābha, urge them to single-mindedly recite the Buddha's name, burn incense and strike the chime, personally leading everyone to harmonize their voices, constantly keeping the sound of the Buddha's name continuous and uninterrupted. Do not let worldly emotional grief and clinging cause them to lose right mindfulness. At the time of relinquishing this retribution body, one must be even more attentive; naturally, all the sages will come to welcome them to rebirth in the Pure Land, and within the precious lotus flower they will definitely attain Buddhahood. This is precisely the time when a filial child should attend upon their parents; they should not become lax. This is the great matter of a filial child serving their parents at the end of life. Regarding this as filial piety, such filial piety is supreme! Moreover, since ancient times, those who practiced buddhānusmṛti and attained rebirth in the West have been more than a few. I briefly present several cases as mirrors for practitioners of buddhānusmṛti: the ruler of the country of Uḍḍiyāna beheld all the sages coming to welcome him; Empress Wen of the Sui ascended upon wondrous fragrance and departed to the west; Old Woman Yao requested the Buddha to wait for her; and the Prince of Song attended his mother and they returned together. These can truly be called directly leaping into the ground of the Tathāgata.