法苑珠林 95.37

95.37

The Sukhāvatīvyūhopadeśa states: 'If a good man or good woman cultivates the fulfillment of the five gates of mindfulness, they will ultimately attain birth in the Land of Peace and Bliss, and behold that Amitābha Buddha. What are the five? The first is paying homage; the second is praising; the third is making vows; the fourth is contemplation; the fifth is dedication of merit.' Furthermore, the Suiyuan wangsheng jing states: 'The Buddha told the Bodhisattva Puguang: "If men and women among the four classes of disciples, on the day of their death, wish to be born in the Buddha-lands of the ten directions, they should first wash and bathe their bodies, put on clean and pure robes, burn various famous incenses, hang silk banners and canopies, sing praises to the Three Jewels, and recite the venerable sūtras. For the sick person, one should speak of karmic conditions, parables, skillful expressions, and the subtle and wonderful meanings of the sūtras: suffering, emptiness, and non-substantiality; that the four great elements are a temporary combination; that the physical form is like a plantain tree, with nothing solid inside; and that it is like a flash of lightning, unable to remain long. Therefore it is said that physical form is not fresh for long and must inevitably decay and disintegrate. By practicing the Way with utmost sincerity, one can cross over suffering; whatever one's heart aspires to, there is none that will not bear fruit."'