Question: How to further urge the severely sick but fearful of death to be mindful of Āmítuófó?
Answer: A skilful means we can use is to share the ideas in the following poem, which does not mention death directly.
On my deathbed…
mindfulness of doctors isn’t going to help.
mindfulness of loved ones isn’t going to help.
mindfulness of wealth isn’t going to help.
mindfulness of status isn’t going to help.
mindfulness of regrets isn’t going to help.
On my deathbed…
mindfulness of Buddha is the best help.
mindfulness of Buddha is the safest.
mindfulness of Buddha is the best refuge.
mindfulness of Buddha is the kindest for me.
mindfulness of Buddha is the wisest for me.
On my deathbed…
by the practice of wholehearted mindfulness of Buddha,
by the power of Buddha’s blessings –
If I can recover, may I recover swiftly.
If I cannot recover, may I be reborn in Pure Land swiftly,
so that I may be liberated swiftly, and return to liberate all swiftly.
Āmítuófó… (recite together)
(When nearer to life’s end, the seriously sick should aspire only for birth in Pure Land.)
