Eihei Dogen’s Shobogenzo Doshin, “Mind of the Way” (translated by Peter Levitt & Kazuaki Tanahashi)
“When you leave this life, and before you enter the next life, there is a place called an intermediary realm. You
stay there for seven days. You should resolve to keep chanting the names of the three treasures without ceasing
while you are there. After seven days you die in the intermediary realm and remain there for no more than seven
days. At this time you can see and hear without hindrance, like having a celestial eye. Resolve to encourage
yourself to keep chanting the names of the three treasures without ceasing: ‘I take refuge in the Buddha. I take
refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha.’ After passing through the intermediary realm, when you
approach your parents to be conceived, resolve to maintain authentic wisdom. Keep chanting refuge in the three
treasures in your mother’s womb. Do not neglect chanting while you are given birth. Resolve deeply to dedicate
yourself to chant and take refuge in the three treasures through the six sense roots. When your life ends, your
eye sight will suddenly become dark. Know that this is the end of your life and be determined to chant, ‘I take
refuge in the buddha.’ Then, all buddhas in the ten directions will show compassion to you. Even if due to
conditions you are bound to an unwholesome realm, you will be able to be born in the deva realm or in the
presence of the Buddha. Bow and listen to the Buddha.”