諸經要集 19.32

19.32

述曰如前教已。復將經像至病人所。題其經名像名。告語示之。使開目覩見。令其惺悟。兼請有德智人。讀誦大乘。助揚讚唄。幡花亂墜宛轉目前。香氣𣱦氳常注鼻根。恒與善語勿傳惡言。以臨終時。多有惡業相現。不能立志。排除是故。瞻病之人。特須方便善巧誘訹。使心心相續剎那不駐。乘此福力。作往生淨土之意。故智度論云。從生作善臨終惡念。便生惡道從。生作惡臨終善念。而生天上。又維摩經云。憶所修福念於淨命。

The commentary states: Having given instructions as above, one should further bring sūtras and statues to the patient's place, announce the titles of the sūtras and the names of the statues, and explain and show them, causing the patient to open their eyes and behold them, thereby awakening them. Moreover, invite people of virtue and wisdom to recite the Mahāyāna and assist in raising praises and hymns. Let banners and flowers flutter and twirl before their eyes, and the fragrant scent waft abundantly to regularly bathe their organ of smell. Always speak good words to them and never convey bad words. Because at the end of life, many signs of bad karma appear and one cannot maintain one's resolve to expel them, the caregiver attending the sick must especially use skillful means to guide and encourage them, causing thought after thought to continue without halting for an instant, so that by the power of this merit they form the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land. Therefore the *Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa* states: "One who did good throughout life but has an evil thought at the end of life will be born in an evil destination; one who did evil throughout life but has a good thought at the end of life will be born in the heavens." The *Vimalakīrti-sūtra* also states: "Recall the merit you have cultivated, and be mindful of pure livelihood."