Fascicle 2

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have already washed away the defilement of the mind, and the heavy obstruction of the ten evils is entirely purified, without remainder. Now that the burden of karma has been dispelled and we are pure both within and without, we should next look up and learn the bodhisattvas' own direct path of practice, from which merit and wisdom are born — and this is why the Buddhas constantly praise the arousing of this mind. Since this very rite is capable of accomplishing such a thing, we pray only that this assembly, each of us, may hold our resolve firm, and not wait until our years and our allotted span run out, letting this chance pass in vain — regret afterward will do no good. We together, today, have met with this excellent occasion, and should not let affliction cover our minds day and night, but should strive diligently to arouse the awakening-mind. The awakening-mind is precisely the Buddha's own mind, its merit and wisdom beyond all measure or comparison — and this is said of a single thought alone, how much more, then, of many thoughts! Even if one were to cultivate immeasurable merit across many kalpas, even performing every remaining good deed in this present life, it would still not equal one ten-thousandth part of arousing this mind — no number or metaphor could ever exhaust the difference. And there is another kind of person who only performs meritorious deeds, without arousing the unsurpassed mind of awakening — this is like tilling a field without sowing any seed: with no sprout, where is the fruit to be found? For this reason, one must arouse the awakening-mind as the very cause and condition that serves as its proof, repaying the Buddha's kindness above and delivering all beings below. This is why the Buddha praised the sons of the gods, saying: "Excellent, excellent! Just as you have said. To arouse the awakening-mind for the benefit of all living beings is the very first offering made to the Tathāgata. And the arousing of the awakening-mind is not a single occurrence — one should arouse it again and again, so that it continues without ever being broken off." This is why the sūtra says, "At the feet of Buddhas as numerous as the sands of nayutas of rivers, they aroused this great and excellent vow" — and from this we know that the number of times the mind is aroused is without measure. Moreover, in arousing the awakening-mind, one need only encounter a good companion for the mind to arise — it is not always necessary to meet a Buddha appearing in the world. Consider how Mañjuśrī himself first turned toward awakening: it was through a woman that he first aroused this mind. It is not that this teaching sets its sight lightly on the ordinary — it is truly because of a thirsting admiration for the Great Vehicle, a hungry seeking after the Buddha-dharma, drawing on the sūtras and taking worldly affairs as its illustration, that friend and enemy make no difference, and the six destinies are seen as one and the same, so that through this very goodness all may attain liberation together. Whoever shares in this same faith and understanding will know that this is no idle talk. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — arousing the awakening-mind requires first giving rise to a visualization, beginning with those closest to us. In the time we hold this thought in mind, we should think of our own parents, teachers, and kin; then think of those in the hells, among the hungry ghosts, and among the animals; then think of the gods, the immortals, and every good spirit; and then think of every kind of person in the human realm — and for whoever is undergoing suffering among them, how should we save them? Having seen this, we should give rise to this very thought: only the great mind can draw out their suffering. Once this single visualization is accomplished, form a second; once the second is accomplished, form a third; once the third is accomplished, let it fill a single room; once it fills a room, let it fill a single yojana; once a yojana is filled, let it fill all of Jambudvīpa; once Jambudvīpa is filled, let it fill the three continents; and expanding it gradually in this way, let it fill the ten directions entirely — seeing that the beings of the east are all one's own father, the beings of the west are all one's own mother, the beings of the south are all one's own elder brothers, the beings of the north are all one's own younger brothers, the beings below are all one's own sisters, the beings above are all one's own teachers, and the beings of the remaining four intermediate directions are all monks and brahmins. Having seen this, give rise to this thought: whenever they undergo suffering, regard it as one's own suffering, go to each of them, tend and massage their bodies, and vow to draw out their suffering. Once they are freed, teach them the Dharma, praising the Buddha, praising the Dharma, and praising the assembly of bodhisattvas. Having offered this praise, let joy arise in the mind, seeing their happiness exactly as though it were one's own. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — this is how one should arouse the awakening-mind: without avoiding suffering in order to deliver living beings. Let us together, every one of us, with this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and speak with mind and voice, making this vow: we disciples, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, wherever we are born in the meantime, may we encounter good companions, and constantly arouse the unsurpassed awakening-mind; and should we fall among the three evil paths or into any of the eight adverse conditions, may we still constantly be made to recollect and arouse the awakening-mind, so that this awakening-mind may continue without ever being broken off. One bow. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — we should arouse a courageous mind and, with earnest and solemn vows, arouse the awakening-mind. Together, with this same anguish of resolve, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Courageous Giving. Homage to the Buddha of Purity. Homage to the Buddha of Pure Giving. Homage to the Buddha Varuṇa. Homage to the Buddha of the Water-Devas. Homage to the Buddha of Firm Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Sandalwood Merit. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Chrysanthemum Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of Radiant Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Sorrowless Virtue. Homage to the Buddha Nārāyaṇa. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower of Merit. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Firm and Courageous Diligence. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Vajra Wisdom. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We further take refuge in all the Three Jewels throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. We disciples now, before all the Three Jewels of the ten directions, arouse the awakening-mind, and from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, we vow to walk the bodhisattva path and never turn back, constantly holding a mind that delivers living beings, constantly holding a mind that establishes living beings in safety, and constantly holding a mind that shelters and protects living beings — and should living beings fail to attain buddhahood, we vow never to accept true awakening for ourselves first. We look up and pray that all the Buddhas, great bodhisattvas, and sages of the ten directions may now bear witness for us, so that every practice and vow of ours, the disciples, may be entirely fulfilled. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — even supposing one practiced many kinds of goodness across many kalpas, one would only attain the flowering reward of birth among humans and gods, not the true fruit that transcends the world, and when that life ends and its merit is exhausted, one falls back into an evil destiny, the body destroyed and suffering pressing in, with no escape of one's own. Unless one establishes a great vow and arouses a vast mind, there is no way to leave behind, once and for all, the decline and affliction of birth and death. Let us together, today, do nothing but hold the Buddhas in mind, arousing a firm resolve to give rise to the awakening-mind. The merit of arousing this mind cannot be measured or reckoned — even the Buddhas and bodhisattvas cannot exhaust it in speech — such a wholesome power is truly inconceivable. How, then, could we fail to apply our whole mind to this single point? The Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra says: "It is like a room darkened for a hundred years — a single lamp can dispel it." Do not think a single thought too slight a thing to be worth the effort. Let us together kneel with palms joined, our single mind reaching out to all the Three Jewels of the ten directions, and speak with mind and voice: we disciples, now before all the Buddhas of the ten directions, before all the venerable Dharma of the ten directions, before all the bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and before all the sages of the ten directions, kneel with palms joined, our minds upright and rightly mindful, arousing an earnest mind, a mind free of heedlessness, a mind settled and abiding, a mind that delights in goodness, a mind that delivers all beings, a mind that shelters and protects all beings, a mind equal to the Buddhas' own — and we arouse the awakening-mind. We disciples, from this day forward, until we sit at the seat of awakening, shall not cling to the mind of humans or gods, shall not give rise to the mind of a disciple-hearer, and shall not give rise to the mind of a pratyekabuddha, but shall give rise only to the mind of the Great Vehicle, the mind that seeks omniscience, the mind that accomplishes unsurpassed, perfect awakening. We pray only that all the Buddhas, great bodhisattvas, and sages throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, by the power of their original vows, may now bear witness for us, and, by the power of compassion, extend their help and receive us, so that this awakening-mind we arouse today may remain firm, wherever we are born, and never retreat. Should we fall among the three evil paths or into any of the eight adverse conditions, receiving every kind of body within the three realms and undergoing every kind of suffering, hard to bear and hard to endure, we vow never, because of such suffering, to let this great mind we hold today fall away. Rather than lose it, we would gladly enter the great wheel of fire in the hell of unceasing torment and undergo every kind of suffering there; we vow never, because of such suffering, to let this great mind we hold today fall away — for this very mind, this very vow, is equal to the mind of the Buddhas, and one with the vow of the Buddhas. Once again, with utmost sincerity, we bow our heads to the Three Jewels. We disciples, from this day forward until we attain buddhahood, shall never abandon these two things: knowing that all dharmas are empty, and never abandoning any living being. Let us together, with sincere mind, in this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and speak with mind and voice: we disciples do not seek unsurpassed awakening for our own sake, but take up unsurpassed awakening in order to save and relieve all living beings. From this day forward until we attain buddhahood, we vow to bear the weight of every living being without limit or measure, arousing great compassion to the very end of future time. Should any living being bear the grave faults of the three evil paths or the adversities of the six destinies, we, the disciples, vow never to shrink from any suffering, but to rescue and protect them with our own bodies, bringing these living beings to a place of peace and safety. We rely only on all the Buddhas throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha Who Plays with Supernormal Power in the Radiance of the Lotus. Homage to the Buddha of the Merit of Wealth. Homage to the Buddha Who Is Mindful of Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Merit of a Good Name. Homage to the Buddha King of the Crimson Flame Banner. Homage to the Buddha of the Merit of Excellent Wandering. Homage to the Buddha Who Wanders Amid Jeweled Flowers. Homage to the Buddha King of the Sāla Tree, Well Established upon the Jeweled Lotus. Homage to the Buddha Victorious in Battle. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Wandering. Homage to the Buddha of Merit Adorned All Around. Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Casts Off the Hindrances. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Tranquil Faculties. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We pray that, by the power of great compassion, they may now bear witness for us, so that we, the disciples, who today arouse the awakening-mind and walk the bodhisattva path, may attain complete fulfillment wherever we are born, and reach complete liberation wherever we go. Once again, with utmost sincerity, we prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and bow our heads to all the Three Jewels of the ten directions. One bow. We disciples do not seek unsurpassed awakening for our own sake, but take up unsurpassed awakening in order to deliver every living being throughout the ten directions. From this day forward until we attain buddhahood, should there be living beings sunk in the darkness of foolishness, not recognizing the true Dharma and giving rise to every kind of deviant view, or living beings who, though they practice the path, fail to penetrate the true nature of things — for such beings, even into the future, we, the disciples, vow to use the power of the Buddha, the power of the Dharma, and the power of the sages, through every kind of skillful means, to lead them into the Buddha's own wisdom, so that these living beings may fully attain and accomplish omniscience. Let us together, with sincere mind, in this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in all the Buddhas throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Universal Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of Universal Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of Universal Purity. Homage to the Buddha of Tamālapattra-Candana Fragrance. Homage to the Buddha of Sandalwood Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of the Maṇi-Jewel Banner. Homage to the Buddha of the Store of Joy, the Maṇi-Jewel Accumulation. Homage to the Buddha of Great Diligence, Joyfully Beheld as Supreme by All the World. Homage to the Buddha of the Lamplight of the Maṇi-Jewel Banner. Homage to the Buddha Illumined by the Torch of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the Radiance of Ocean Virtue. Homage to the Buddha Whose Vajra-Firm Golden Light Spreads Universally. Homage to the Buddha of Great and Powerful, Courageous Diligence. Homage to the Buddha of the Radiance of Great Compassion. Homage to the Buddha King of the Power of Loving-Kindness. Homage to the Buddha Treasury of Loving-Kindness. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom. Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Never Leaves the World. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We look up and pray that the Buddhas and great bodhisattvas, by the power of their great compassion, by the power of their great wisdom, by their inconceivable power, by their power of boundless mastery, by their power to subdue the four demons, by their power to cut off the five hindrances, by their power to extinguish every affliction, by their power over the immeasurable dust of pure karma, by their power to open immeasurable contemplative wisdom, by their power to open immeasurable undefiled wisdom, by their immeasurable and boundless supernormal power, by their power to deliver immeasurable living beings, by their power to shelter and protect immeasurable living beings, by their power to bring immeasurable living beings to peace, by their power to cut off immeasurable suffering and affliction, by their power to liberate beings from the immeasurable hells, by their power to relieve immeasurable hungry ghosts, by their power to rescue immeasurable animals, by their power to gather and transform immeasurable asuras, by their power to receive and gather the immeasurable human realm, by their power to exhaust the defilements of immeasurable gods and immortals, by their power to fully adorn the ten grounds, by their power to fully adorn the pure lands, by their power to fully adorn the seat of awakening, by their power to fully adorn the merit of buddhahood's fruit, by their power to fully adorn the wisdom of buddhahood's fruit, by their power to fully adorn the Dharma-body, by their power to fully adorn unsurpassed awakening, by their power to fully adorn the great nirvāṇa, by their immeasurable and inexhaustible power of merit, and by their immeasurable and inexhaustible power of wisdom — by all such immeasurable, boundless, sovereign, and inconceivable power, not going against their original vow, not going against their original oath, may they bestow it entirely upon every being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions, and upon all who today arouse the awakening-mind together with us, so that all may without fail bring their arousing of this mind to complete fulfillment, fully accomplishing the power of every merit, fully accomplishing the power of the awakening-vow, and fully accomplishing the power of awakening-conduct. Today, whether hidden or manifest, whether enemy or friend or neither enemy nor friend, whether connected to us by karmic affinity or not, among all the four modes of birth and six destinies, to the very limit of future time — may every living being, through this rite of confession, attain lasting purity, and, wherever they are born, likewise attain what they wish, their mind firm and steadfast without ever retreating, until they accomplish true and equal awakening together with the Tathāgatas. And should any living being, in the current that follows, differ from this realm of vow, may they too all be brought into the great ocean of this vow, and thereby accomplish merit and wisdom, fulfilling the practice of the ten grounds together with the bodhisattvas, fully attaining omniscience, adorning unsurpassed awakening, and reaching complete liberation. One bow.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have now finished arousing the great mind, and our joy leaps beyond measure. We should now further make vows such as these; together, with this same anguish of resolve, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Victorious Adornment in the Sandalwood Cave. Homage to the Buddha of the Worthy and Wholesome Head. Homage to the Buddha of Good Intention. Homage to the Buddha King of Vast Adornment. Homage to the Buddha of the Vajra Flower. Homage to the Buddha King of Sovereign Mastery, Illuminating Space with the Jeweled Canopy. Homage to the Buddha of the Radiance of the Jeweled Flower of Empty Space. Homage to the Buddha King of Lapis Lazuli Adornment. Homage to the Buddha of the Radiant Body Universally Manifest. Homage to the Buddha of the Unmoving Radiance of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha King Who Subdues Every Demon King. Homage to the Buddha of Radiant Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha Victorious in Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of Maitreya's Immortal Radiance. Homage to the Bodhisattva Medicine King. Homage to the Bodhisattva Supreme Medicine. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We pray that, by their inconceivable power, they may together extend their shelter and protection, so that every vow we, the disciples, have made may be entirely fulfilled, never forgotten wherever we are born, until we reach unsurpassed awakening and accomplish true and equal awakening. One bow. Let each of us speak with mind and voice: We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly recollect and arouse the awakening-mind, so that this awakening-mind may continue without ever being broken off. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly encounter every Buddha without limit or measure, constantly make offerings to them, and that our offerings and the means to make them may always be complete. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly uphold and protect every sūtra of the Great Vehicle's Vaipulya teachings, our offerings and the means to make them always complete. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly encounter every bodhisattva throughout the ten directions without limit or measure, our offerings and the means to make them always complete. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly encounter every sage throughout the ten directions without limit or measure, our offerings and the means to make them always complete. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly be able to repay the kindness and shelter shown to us, whatever we offer in return fully satisfying our heart's wish. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly encounter our preceptors and instructors, whatever offerings are due them fulfilled the moment we think of it. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly encounter powerful kings, together causing the Three Jewels to flourish without ever letting them be cut off. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may constantly adorn the buddha-lands, so that not even the name of the three poisons or the eight adverse conditions exists there. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, we may attain the four unhindered forms of knowledge and be endowed with the six supernormal powers, always present before us and never forgotten, and use them to teach and transform every living being. Let us together, with sincere mind, in this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of the World's Pure Radiance. Homage to the Buddha King of Wondrous, Honored Wisdom, the Sound of the Well-Stilled Moon. Homage to the Buddha King, Most Honored of the Dragon Race. Homage to the Buddha of Sun-and-Moon Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of the Pearl-Light of Sun and Moon. Homage to the Buddha King Victorious in the Banner of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha King of Sovereign Power, the Lion's Roar. Homage to the Buddha Victorious in Wondrous Sound. Homage to the Buddha of the Banner of Ever-Present Radiance. Homage to the Buddha, Lamp Who Beholds the World. Homage to the Buddha King, Lamp of Wisdom's Might. Homage to the Buddha King Victorious in Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of Sumeru's Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of the Radiance of the Sumanā Flower. Homage to the Buddha Supreme as the Udumbara Flower. Homage to the Buddha King of Great Wisdom's Power. Homage to the Buddha of Akṣobhya's Joyful Radiance. Homage to the Buddha King of Boundless Sound. Homage to the Buddha King of Sovereign Penetration, Wisdom Vast as Mountain and Sea. Homage to the Buddha of Great, Penetrating Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of Eloquent Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of the Golden Sea's Radiance. Homage to the Buddha King, Ever Fulfilling All Dharmas. Homage to the Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta. Homage to the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We further take refuge in all the Three Jewels throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space in this way, praying that, relying on the power of the great compassionate mind of the Buddhas, the great bodhisattvas, and all the sages, the vows we, the disciples, have made may follow our heart's wish, wherever we are born. We disciples, from this day forward, further vow that, in life after life, in every place, should any living being see the color of our body, may they attain liberation at once; and should we enter the hells, may every hell be transformed into a pure land, and every condition of suffering transformed into an instrument of joy, causing every living being's six sense-faculties to become pure, their body and mind at peace as in the third dhyāna, cutting off every net of doubt and giving rise to their first taste of the undefiled. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, should any living being hear our voice, may their mind at once find peace, their defiling faults dissolved, attaining the dhāraṇī of liberation and samādhi, fully endowed with great patience and an eloquence that never falters, ascending together to the cloud of Dharma and accomplishing true and equal awakening. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, should every living being hear our name, may they all rejoice, attaining what they have never had before. Should they be in the three evil paths, may their every suffering be cut off; should they be among humans or gods, may every defilement be exhausted; wherever they turn, may they move freely, with nothing left unliberated. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, toward every living being, may we hold no mind of taking or giving, no notion of enemy or friend, cutting off the root of the three poisons, departing from self and what belongs to the self, believing and delighting in the Great Vehicle, practicing loving-kindness and compassion equally toward all, all in harmony together as though we were the noble assembly itself. We disciples, from this day forward, vow that, in life after life, in every place, toward every living being, may our mind remain constantly impartial, like empty space, unmoved by blame or praise, seeing enemy and friend as one and the same, entering a mind deep and vast to learn the Buddha's own wisdom, regarding every living being equally as Rāhula himself, fulfilling the ten abodes and attaining the ground of regarding all as an only child, departing from the extremes of existence and non-existence and walking always the middle way. Let us together, with sincere mind, in this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Sea. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Blossom. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Accomplishment. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Banner and Streamer. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Brightness. Homage to the Buddha Akṣobhya. Homage to the Buddha of Great Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Sound. Homage to the Buddha of Great Renown. Homage to the Buddha Who Has Attained Great Peace. Homage to the Buddha of True Sound. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Purity. Homage to the Buddha of the Moon's Sound. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Renown. Homage to the Buddha of Moonlight. Homage to the Buddha of Stainless Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of Pure Radiance. Homage to the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha. Homage to the Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We further take refuge in all the Three Jewels throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space in this way. We pray that we, the disciples, together with every being of the four modes of birth and six destinies, through the merit and causes and conditions of this confession and vow, may, from this day forward until we reach awakening, walk the bodhisattva path without ever growing weary, our giving of both wealth and Dharma never coming to an end, our wisdom and skillful means never acting in vain, prescribing the medicine of the Dharma according to each being's faculties and affliction, so that everything seen and heard leads equally to liberation. We disciples further vow that, from this day forward until we reach awakening, we may walk the bodhisattva path without any obstacle, wherever we go always able to perform the Buddha's own great work and establish this very rite, attaining mastery of mind and mastery of the Dharma, able to enter every samādhi without exception, opening the gate of total retention to reveal the fruit of buddhahood, dwelling in the ground of the Dharma-cloud and pouring down the rain of ambrosia, extinguishing the four kinds of demonic enmity that afflict living beings, and bringing them to the pure and wondrous fruit of the Dharma-body. Every vow we, the disciples, hold today is entirely the same as the vows made by all the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and entirely the same as every great vow originally made by all the Buddhas of the ten directions — vast as the very nature of dharmas, ultimate as empty space itself. We pray that we, the disciples, may attain the fulfillment of the awakening-vow just as we have wished it, and that every living being may likewise follow along and attain what they have wished. We look up and pray that all the Buddhas, all the venerable Dharma, all the bodhisattvas, and all the sages of the ten directions may, by the power of compassion, now bear witness for us. We further pray that every lord among the gods, every lord among the immortals, every good spirit, and every dragon-spirit, by the power of their wholesome roots in protecting the Three Jewels, may now bear witness and understand this, so that every practice and vow may follow our heart's wish, freely and without hindrance. One bow.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — having now finished arousing the awakening-mind, and finished making the great vow, we should next arouse the mind of dedication. Let us together, with sincere mind, in this same anguish of resolve, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Sunlight. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Treasure. Homage to the Buddha Most Honored as the Lotus. Homage to the Buddha Honored in Body. Homage to the Buddha of Golden Light. Homage to the Buddha King, Sovereign as Brahmā. Homage to the Buddha of Golden Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Golden Sea. Homage to the Buddha King, Sovereign Among Dragons. Homage to the Buddha King, Sovereign over Every Flower and Fragrance. Homage to the Buddha King of the Tree. Homage to the Buddha Who Bravely Grasped a Firm Weapon and Then Cast Away All Strife. Homage to the Buddha of the Inner Abundance of Pearl-Light. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Fragrant Brightness. Homage to the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Wondrous Sound. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body. Homage to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. We further take refuge in all the Three Jewels throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, praying that, by the power of compassion, they may now bear witness for us. We disciples vow that every wholesome deed we have done in the past, every wholesome deed we do now in the present, and every wholesome deed we shall do in the future, whether many or few, whether light or grave, be entirely dedicated and given over to every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies, so that they may all attain the mind of the Way, turning neither toward the two lesser vehicles nor toward the three realms of existence, but together dedicating it toward unsurpassed awakening. We further vow that every wholesome deed any living being has done, whether in the past, the present, or the future, may likewise, each one, be dedicated, turning neither toward the two lesser vehicles nor toward the three realms of existence, but together dedicated toward unsurpassed awakening. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have now finished arousing the awakening-mind, finished making the great vow, and finished arousing the mind of dedication, vast as the very nature of dharmas, ultimate as empty space itself, and every Buddha, great bodhisattva, and sage of the past, present, and future bears witness to it. Once again, with utmost sincerity, we bow our heads to the Three Jewels. One bow. We disciples, having now completed the arousing of the mind and the making of the vow, our joy leaps beyond measure; once again, with sincere mind, we prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and dedicate this on behalf of: kings and rulers, our parents and teachers, every kin and family across every kalpa, good and evil companions, the gods and immortals, the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the world, the dragon-kings of the five directions and every numinous spirit among the eightfold host of dragon-spirits who reward good and punish evil, and every being, enemy or friend or neither, of the four modes of birth and six destinies, in the past, the present, and to the very limit of the future — we take refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of the Lion's Echo. Homage to the Buddha of Great and Powerful, Courageous Strength. Homage to the Buddha of Past Ages, Firmly Abiding. Homage to the Buddha King of the Drum's Sound. Homage to the Buddha of the Splendor of Sun and Moon. Homage to the Buddha Who Surpasses Every Flower. Homage to the Buddha, Lamp of Illumination for the World. Homage to the Buddha of Great and Easeful Peace. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Wheel. Homage to the Buddha of Constant Cessation. Homage to the Buddha of Pure Awakening. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of Boundless Jeweled Flowers. Homage to the Buddha Who Strides Like Sumeru. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Lotus. Homage to the Buddha in Whom Every Treasure Universally Gathers. Homage to the Buddha of the Dharma-Wheel, in Whom Every Treasure Universally Gathers in Abundance. Homage to the Buddha King of the Tree, Abundant and Flourishing. Homage to the Buddha Surrounded by Especially Honored and Pure Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Stainless Radiance. Homage to the Buddha of Sunlight. We further take refuge in the Tathāgata of Ocean Virtue, the great teacher among the Buddhas of countless past kalpas. We reverently bow to the bodhisattvas of the unborn Dharma-body, immeasurable and boundless throughout the whole reach of empty space. We reverently bow to the bodhisattvas of the undefiled form-body, immeasurable and boundless throughout the whole reach of empty space. We reverently bow to the bodhisattvas who have aroused the awakening-mind, immeasurable and boundless throughout the whole reach of empty space. We reverently bow to the great teacher and bodhisattva Aśvaghoṣa, who caused the true Dharma to flourish. We reverently bow to the great teacher and bodhisattva Nāgārjuna, who caused the Dharma to flourish in its semblance age. We reverently bow to the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. We reverently bow to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who rescues beings from suffering, throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. For this reason he is called Tathāgata, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly and Fully Awakened, Perfect in Wisdom and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One — delivering beings without measure, and drawing out the suffering of birth and death. By the merit and cause and condition of arousing this mind, we look up and pray: May the present emperor — an old reading here has "the Emperor of the Great Liang" — the crown prince, and the imperial household, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, forget the body for the sake of the Dharma as Sadāprarudita did; extinguish fault with great compassion as Ākāśagarbha does; be able to hear the Dharma from afar as the Buddha Bhaiṣajyaguru does; and skillfully understand the most difficult teachings as the bodhisattva Vimaladatta does. We further pray that the parents who bore us, the disciples, and our kin across every kalpa, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, may scatter their form throughout empty space as the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body does; be endowed with the ten virtues as King Kauṇḍinya of Noble Virtue was; rejoice on hearing the Dharma as Abhaya does; and be courageous in spiritual power as Mahāsthāmaprāpta is. We further pray that our preceptors, instructors, fellow students and kin, and every companion of high, middle, and low station, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, may each attain fearlessness as the Lion King does; extend a great transformation as Ratnākara does; hear the sound of suffering and relieve it as Avalokiteśvara does; and skillfully inquire as Mahākāśyapa does. We further pray that we, the disciples' fellow monastics and lay followers, faithful donors, and good and evil companions, each with their own kin, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, may resolve every danger and crisis as the Bodhisattva of Rescue and Release does; be dignified and fine of countenance as Mañjuśrī is; be able to cast off the obstruction of karma as the Bodhisattva Who Casts Off the Hindrances does; and offer the very last offering as Cunda did. We further pray that every god and immortal, the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the world, the bright and upright spirits of heaven, earth, and empty space, the dragon-kings of the five directions and the eightfold host of dragon-spirits who reward good and punish evil, and every hidden and manifest numinous spirit, each with their own kin, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, may extend great compassion universally as Ajita does; guard the Dharma with diligence unceasing as Anikṣiptadhura does; bear distant witness through reading and recitation as Samantabhadra does; and burn the body for the sake of the Dharma as the Medicine King does. We further pray that every being of the ten directions, enemy or friend or neither, of the four modes of birth and six destinies, each with their own kin, from this day forward, even to the very seat of awakening, may hold a mind free of craving and attachment as the woman Vimuktacittā does; speak with subtle and skillful eloquence as Lady Śrīmālā does; practice diligence as Śākyamuni himself did; hold every wholesome vow equal to Amitāyus; hold every awesome spiritual power equal to the heavenly kings; be inconceivable as Vimalakīrti is; each accomplish every merit; and adorn every buddha-land without limit or measure. We look up and pray that the immeasurable and boundless great bodhisattvas and every sage throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, with a compassionate mind, may together receive us, rescue and draw us to safety, and bring every wish to complete fulfillment, our faith made firm and our virtuous work growing ever further, nurturing the four modes of birth with compassion as though each were our only child, causing every living being to attain the four immeasurable minds and the six perfections, to receive and cultivate meditation in the ten ways, and to have the three vows extended broadly, so that whenever they think of it they may behold the Buddha exactly as Lady Śrīmālā did, every practice and vow ultimately fulfilled, ascending together with the Tathāgatas to true and equal awakening. One bow.