諸經要集 19.35

19.35

The *Suiyuan wangsheng jing* also states: "The Buddha told Samantavistāra Bodhisattva: 'If men and women of the four assemblies, on the day their lives end, wish to be born in the Buddha-lands of the ten directions, they should first bathe their bodies, put on clean and fresh clothes, burn various fine incenses, hang silk banners and canopies, sing praises to the Triratna, and recite the venerable sūtras. They should expound causes, conditions, and parables for the sick person, using skillful words and the subtle, wondrous meaning of the sūtras, [explaining that things are] suffering, empty, and unreal; that the four great elements are a temporary combination; that the physical form is like a plantain tree with nothing solid inside, and like a flash of lightning that cannot stay long. Hence it is said that form does not remain fresh for long and must return to decay and ruin. Sincere cultivation of the path can deliver one from suffering; in accord with whatever the mind aspires to, there is none that fails to attain its fruit.'" 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." The *Saddharmasmṛtyupasthāna-sūtra* also states: "If there is a precept-holding sentient being who, toward a sick person who has broken the precepts, seeks no favor or kindness and cares for the sick without weariness, then upon the end of life they will be born in the Heaven of Universal Vision, indulging in the five desires without knowing satiety."