Fascicle 9

Having now finished the homage for the human destiny, we next turn to homage on behalf of the three evil destinies. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — from taking refuge until reaching this very chapter, we have said again and again that though the ten thousand dharmas differ and their functions are not the same, when it comes to light contrasted with darkness, it is simply good set against evil: what is good is called the excellent path of gods and humans, what is evil is called the different track of the three evil paths; cultivating benevolence and righteousness returns one to the excellent path, while giving rise to cruelty and harm casts one down into the inferior one. Those who dwell on the excellent path do so truly through excellent karma, needing no contention to secure it, receiving natural and wondrous joy and awaiting the free wandering of liberation; those cast down into the inferior paths do so truly through inferior karma, dwelling amid walls of fire and nets of iron, eating iron pellets and hot metal, drinking molten stone and boiling copper, their years surpassing the very span of creation, their kalpas equal to the infinite. And the suffering of the hells cannot be endured in person even once: the spirit leaves this very body and its consciousness is cast into that fortress, repaid by the wheel of blades laid upon the body, requited by the millstone of fire that destroys the form — and yet life there will not shorten itself, but embraces this suffering across a long span of years. Even should one at last be freed from it, one falls again among the hungry ghosts, fire issuing from the very mouth, life there never whole. And once dead from that state, one falls yet again among the animals, undergoing every suffering once more — carrying heavy loads over great distances, driven through dangerous and difficult places, or laid out for the cauldron and the cutting-board, one's very flesh serving as another's meal, one's life never counted as one's own. Truly, the heavy suffering of the three evil paths, the sorrow of a long night with no dawn in sight — and though the difference between excellent and inferior is perfectly clear, no one seems able to believe it, for out of the very sense of "I," doubt readily arises, and because of this doubt, one rarely turns toward the good. This is why the Buddha says: there are ten matters in the world that, at death, lead one into the evil destinies — a mind not devoted to goodness and failing to cultivate merit; craving food and drink like a starving tiger; addicted to the taste of wine and delighting in harboring the poison of anger; constantly practicing folly and refusing to accept another's admonition; relying entirely on one's own strength to carry out every evil deed; delighting in killing living beings and trampling upon the solitary and the weak; forever siding with evil people to invade and oppress another's territory; speaking, whenever one does speak, words that are never true or essential; and showing no compassion toward anyone, giving rise to every evil deed instead. Should a person be such as this, he will not remain long in this world, and at death will enter the evil destinies. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — as the Buddha has said, who among us could truly claim to be free of all this? And since none of us can claim to be entirely free of it, each of us still bears some portion of fault destined for the hells. Let the assembly each awaken to this very meaning, and race against time to walk the bodhisattva path, diligently seeking every dharma and benefiting living beings — first dissolving our own fault, and second, generating blessing for others — this is precisely to benefit both oneself and others, self and other both gaining together. Together, today, let us arouse a courageous mind, a firm mind, a compassionate mind, a mind that delivers all beings, and a mind that rescues living beings, and never forget this vow even once we reach the very seat of awakening. We look up and rely upon all the Buddhas and great bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, their great spiritual power, their great power of compassion, their power to liberate the hells, their power to deliver the hungry ghosts, their power to rescue the animals, their great power of sacred spells, and their great and mighty power, so that whatever benefit we ourselves work toward and whatever we ourselves vow may be accomplished. With this same anguish of resolve, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, on behalf of every living being suffering in the great hell of Avīci, and in the eighteen hells of freezing ice, the hell of darkness, the eighteen hot hells, the eighteen hells of the wheel of blades, the hell of the forest of swords, the hell of the fire chariot, the hell of boiling excrement, the hell of the boiling cauldron, and all the further eighty-four thousand subsidiary hells belonging to these — for every living being suffering within them, we disciples, by the awakening-mind, by the conduct of awakening, and by the vow of awakening, stand in on their behalf, taking refuge, every one of us, in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha Praised for the Great Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Vow. Homage to the Buddha, Sun-Deva. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha Who Gathers In the Body. Homage to the Buddha of the Might of Majesty and Virtue. Homage to the Buddha, Kṣatriya. Homage to the Buddha of the Vehicle of Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Supreme Gold. Homage to the Buddha of the Topknot of Liberation. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of Focused Conduct. Homage to the Buddha Who Casts Off Pride and Arrogance. Homage to the Buddha, Treasury of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of Brahmā's Conduct. Homage to the Buddha of Sandalwood. Homage to the Buddha Renowned as Sorrowless. Homage to the Buddha of the Dignified Body. Homage to the Buddha, Chancellor of the Realm. Homage to the Buddha of the Lotus. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Heavenly Light. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha Pintoumo. Homage to the Buddha of the Wealth of Wisdom. Homage to the Bodhisattva, Lion at Play. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Vigorous Leap. 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, by the power of compassion, they rescue and gather in every living being suffering in the hell of Avīci, the hell of darkness, the hell of the wheel of blades, and every subsidiary hell of the fire chariot and boiling excrement, and that, by the power of the Buddha, the power of the Dharma, the power of the bodhisattvas, and the power of the sages, every such living being may at once attain liberation, never again to fall into the hells, every obstruction of fault dissolved, never again to create the karma that leads to the hells. May they give up birth in the hells and attain birth in the pure land; give up the karma of the hells and attain the life of wisdom; give up the body of the hells and attain the vajra-body; give up the suffering of the hells and attain the joy of nirvāṇa. Mindful of the suffering of the hells, may they arouse the awakening-mind, the four immeasurable minds and six perfections constantly manifest before them, the four unhindered wisdoms and six supernormal powers at ease as they wish, fully endowed with wisdom and walking the bodhisattva path, courageous and diligent without rest, advancing in cultivation until the practice of the ten grounds is complete, entering the vajra-mind and accomplishing true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, on behalf of every living being now undergoing suffering in the hell of the river of ashes, the hell of the forest of swords, the hell of the forest of thorns, the hell of the copper pillar, the hell of the iron loom, the hell of the iron net, the hell of the iron den, the hell of iron pellets, the hell of pointed stones, and every such hell throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space — we disciples, by the awakening-mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Brahmā's Wealth. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Hand. Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Root. Homage to the Buddha Complete in Argument. Homage to the Buddha of the Supreme Argument. Homage to the Buddha Puṣya. Homage to the Buddha Tiṣya. Homage to the Buddha Possessing the Sun. Homage to the Buddha Emerged from the Mud. Homage to the Buddha of Attained Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha Muluo. Homage to the Buddha of Supreme Auspiciousness. Homage to the Buddha, Joy of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha Seeking Victory. Homage to the Buddha of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha, Excellent Sage. Homage to the Buddha of the Net of Light. Homage to the Buddha, Treasury of Lapis Lazuli. Homage to the Buddha Renowned. Homage to the Buddha of Beneficial Quiescence. Homage to the Buddha, Teacher and Transformer. Homage to the Buddha of the Sun's Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Supreme Brightness of Manifold Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Virtue. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Banner. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Deeds. 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, by the power of compassion, they together rescue us, and that every karmic cause of fault now suffered in the river of ashes and its like may attain liberation, every bitter fruit forever dissolved, the karma of the hell-destiny purified once and for all; may they give up the body of the hells and attain the vajra-body, give up the suffering of the hells and attain the joy of nirvāṇa, and, mindful of the suffering of the hells, arouse the awakening-mind, together escaping the burning house to reach this very awakening-site, and, together with the bodhisattvas, accomplish true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, universally on behalf of every living being now undergoing suffering, throughout every hell of the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space: the hell of drinking molten copper, the hell of crushing together, the hell of wailing, the hell of great wailing, the hell of heat, the hell of great heat, the burning forest of the coal pit, and every immeasurable and boundless subsidiary hell of this kind — we disciples, by the awakening-mind, universally stand in on their behalf, taking refuge in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha, Human Moon. Homage to the Buddha Rāhu. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of Ambrosia. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Intent. Homage to the Buddha of the Flame's Brightness. Homage to the Buddha, Lord of All. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha, King of Mountains. Homage to the Buddha of Quiescence. Homage to the Buddha, Gathering of Virtue. Homage to the Buddha, Heavenly King. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Sound and Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Wondrous Flower. Homage to the Buddha Abiding in Meaning. Homage to the Buddha, Gathering of Majestic Merit. Homage to the Buddha of Unequaled Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha, Voice of Ambrosia. Homage to the Buddha, Excellent Guardian. Homage to the Buddha of Sharp Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha Reflecting on the Meaning of Liberation. Homage to the Buddha of the Victorious Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Conduct of Lituo. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Meaning. Homage to the Buddha Without Fault. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Conduct. 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 in this way. We pray that, by the power of compassion, they rescue, protect, and receive every living being now suffering in the hell of drinking molten copper and its like, every obstruction of fault dissolved, every suffering liberated, never again from this day forward to fall into the hells; may they give up birth in the hells and attain birth in the pure land, give up the life of the hells and attain the life of wisdom, the four immeasurable minds and six perfections constantly manifest before them, the four unhindered eloquences and six supernormal powers at ease as they wish, leaving the path of the hells behind to attain the path of nirvāṇa, and, together with the Tathāgatas, accomplish true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, universally on behalf of every living being now undergoing suffering, throughout every hell of the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space: the hell of thought, the hell of black sand, the hell of nailed bodies, the hell of the fire well, the hell of the stone mortar, the hell of boiling sand, the hell of sword-soldiers, the hell of starvation, the hell of the copper cauldron, and every such immeasurable hell — we disciples, today, by the power of the awakening-mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, in the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha, Flower Treasury. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Light. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Expounding. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Deliverance. Homage to the Buddha, King of the Multitude. Homage to the Buddha Free of Fear. Homage to the Buddha, Sun of Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha Renowned. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of the Jeweled Moon. Homage to the Buddha of Supreme Intent. Homage to the Buddha Fearless. Homage to the Buddha of Great Vision. Homage to the Buddha of Brahmā's Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Deliverance through Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of Unequaled Intent. Homage to the Buddha of the Vajra Army. Homage to the Buddha of Intent on Awakening. Homage to the Buddha, King of Trees. Homage to the Buddha, Voice of Panthaka. Homage to the Buddha of the Power of Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Might of Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Sagely Love. Homage to the Buddha of the Conduct of Might. Homage to the Buddha of Amber. 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 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, by the power of compassion, they together rescue and protect us, and that every living being suffering in the hell of sword-soldiers and every subsidiary hell may at once attain liberation, every suffering forever cut off, leaving behind the very conditions of the hells to attain the life of wisdom; and, mindful of the suffering of the hells, may they arouse the awakening-mind, walking the bodhisattva path without rest, entering the path of the single vehicle and completing the practice of the ten grounds, each endowed with spiritual power, returning once more to gather in every being, together taking their seat at this awakening-site and together ascending to true awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, universally on behalf of every living being now undergoing suffering, throughout every hell of the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space: the hell of the fire city, the hell of the stone cavern, the hell of scalding water, the hell of the mountain of blades, the hell of tigers and wolves, the hell of the iron bed, the hell of the burning wind, the hell of vomiting fire, and every immeasurable and boundless subsidiary hell of this kind — we disciples, by the power of the awakening-mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, 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 Cloud of Thunder's Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent and Loving Eyes. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha, Complete One. Homage to the Buddha of Accumulated Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Great Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Mark of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of the Voice of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of Empty Space. Homage to the Buddha of the Voice of Offering. Homage to the Buddha of the Distinctions of Wisdom's Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Light of Merit. Homage to the Buddha, Sagely King. Homage to the Buddha of the Multitude's Intent. Homage to the Buddha of the Wheel of Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Quiescence. Homage to the Buddha of the Moon's Face. Homage to the Buddha Renowned as the Sun. Homage to the Buddha Without Stain. Homage to the Buddha of the Gathering of Merit. Homage to the Buddha of the Mark of Flower Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Land of Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Giving. Homage to the Buddha, Beloved Moon. Homage to the Buddha Without Pride. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom. Homage to the Bodhisattva Never Leaving the World. 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, by the power of compassion, they together receive us, and that every living being suffering in the hell of the mountain of blades and its like may at once attain liberation, extending even to every inexpressible hell throughout the ten directions and every living being now suffering or yet to suffer there; we pray that, by the power of the Buddha, the power of the Dharma, the power of the bodhisattvas, and the power of the sages, every such living being may together attain liberation, forever cutting off the karma of every hell throughout the ten directions. From this day forward, until reaching this very awakening-site, may they never again fall into the three evil paths, in giving up one body and taking up the next constantly encountering the Buddhas, fully endowed with wisdom, pure and at ease, courageous and diligent without rest, advancing in cultivation until the practice of the ten grounds is complete, ascending to the vajra-mind and entering the fruit of omniscience, at ease by the Buddha's own spiritual power, just as they wish.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, universally on behalf of every being of the hungry-ghost destiny throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, every hungry-ghost spirit and every hungry ghost, each together with their retinue — we disciples, today, by the power of the awakening-mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, 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 Power. Homage to the Buddha, King of Ease. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Purity. Homage to the Buddha of Equal Concentration. Homage to the Buddha Indestructible. Homage to the Buddha Who Extinguishes Stain. Homage to the Buddha Who Never Loses Skillful Means. Homage to the Buddha Untroubled. Homage to the Buddha of the Wondrous Face. Homage to the Buddha of Wisdom's Restraint and Abiding. Homage to the Buddha, King of Dharma Teachers. Homage to the Buddha, Great Deva. Homage to the Buddha of Profound Intent. Homage to the Buddha Boundless. Homage to the Buddha of the Power of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of the World's Offering. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower's Light. Homage to the Buddha of the Offering of the Three Periods of Time. Homage to the Buddha of the Worthy Treasury of the Sun. Homage to the Buddha of the Heavenly Offering. Homage to the Buddha, Person of Supreme Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the True Topknot. Homage to the Buddha of Faith in Ambrosia. Homage to the Buddha Vajra. Homage to the Buddha, Firm and Resolute. 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 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, by the power of compassion, they together receive us and rescue every being from the suffering of the hungry-ghost destiny, throughout the four cardinal and four intermediate directions, above and below, and the whole reach of the ten directions — every being of the hungry-ghost destiny, every hungry-ghost spirit, each together with their retinue, and every hungry ghost, each together with their retinue — every obstruction of fault dissolved, every suffering liberated, body and mind made cool and untroubled by any burning affliction, body and mind fully satisfied and no longer hungry or thirsty, tasting the flavor of ambrosia and opening the eye of wisdom, the four immeasurable minds and six perfections constantly manifest before them, the four unhindered wisdoms and six supernormal powers at ease as they wish, leaving the hungry-ghost destiny behind to enter the path of nirvāṇa, and, together with the Buddhas, accomplish true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, turning our minds toward this, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, universally on behalf of every being of the four modes of birth in the animal-destiny throughout the four cardinal and four intermediate directions, above and below, the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space — whether great or small, every living being of water, land, and sky, each together with their retinue — we disciples, today, by the power of a compassionate mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, 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 Bright Jeweled Shoulder. Homage to the Buddha, Stride of Lituo. Homage to the Buddha Following the Sun. Homage to the Buddha, Pure One. Homage to the Buddha of the Power of Brightness. Homage to the Buddha, Gathering of Merit. Homage to the Buddha of the Complete Eye. Homage to the Buddha of the Lion's Conduct. Homage to the Buddha Rising Above. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower's Giving. Homage to the Buddha of the Pearl's Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Lotus. Homage to the Buddha, Love of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the Adornment of Panthaka. Homage to the Buddha Whose Conduct Is Never in Vain. Homage to the Buddha of the Arising of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of the Excellent Marks. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Reflection. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Liberation. Homage to the Buddha Who Knows the Principle of the Way. Homage to the Bodhisattva Ever Diligent. Homage to the Bodhisattva Never Resting. 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, by the power of compassion, they shelter, protect, and receive us, and that every being of the animal-destiny and every one of the four modes of birth throughout the four cardinal and four intermediate directions, above and below, and the whole Dharma-realm of empty space, each together with their retinue, may have every obstruction of fault dissolved and every suffering liberated, together giving up the evil destinies and together becoming vessels fit for the Way, body and mind at peace and joy as in the third dhyāna, the four immeasurable minds and six perfections constantly manifest before them, the four unhindered wisdoms and six supernormal powers at ease as they wish, leaving the animal-destiny behind to enter the path of nirvāṇa, ascending to the vajra-mind and accomplishing true and equal awakening.

We disciples, through the merit and causes and conditions of this homage paid today to the gods, the immortals, and the dragon spirits of the eightfold division, pray that every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, to the very limit of the future, may, from this day forward until reaching awakening, never again wrongly suffer harm to this very form or undergo cruel torment, and never again commit the ten evils and five heinous crimes that cast one back into the three evil paths. Through the merit and causes and conditions of this homage paid today, may each attain the pure karma of body and speech of the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas, and each attain every mind possessed by the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas: a mind like the great earth, giving rise to every wholesome root; a mind like the great ocean, upholding the vast Dharma of the Buddhas' wisdom; a mind like Mount Sumeru, settling every being in unsurpassed awakening; a mind like the wish-fulfilling jewel, forever free of affliction; a vajra-mind, resolute in every dharma; a firm and resolute mind, which no demon or heretic can obstruct or destroy; a lotus-mind, untainted by any worldly dharma; a mind like the pure sun, dissolving every obstruction of ignorance and confusion; and a mind like empty space, which no living being can ever measure. We further pray that every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies, from this day forward, may reflect on the nature of consciousness and reflect on the nature of resolute faith and understanding, casting aside frivolity and idle jest and constantly reflecting on the words of the Dharma; giving whatever they have without any grudging attachment, their mind ever courageous and never harboring cowardice, offering every merit they cultivate to all; never turning back to the wrong path, single-minded and undeviating, seeing good as a mere magical apparition and evil as a mere dream, giving up birth and death to swiftly escape the three realms, clearly perceiving the profound and wondrous Dharma; each attaining the ability to make offerings to every Buddha, their offerings fully sufficient in every way; each attaining the ability to make offerings to every venerable Dharma, their offerings fully sufficient in every way; each attaining the ability to make offerings to every bodhisattva, their offerings fully sufficient in every way; each attaining the ability to make offerings to every sage, their offerings fully sufficient in every way. Should there be living beings hereafter whose own vows differ from the scope of what we disciples vow today, may they too all be brought into this very ocean of great vows, at once accomplishing merit and wisdom, at ease according to their own mind by the Buddha's spiritual power, and, together with the Tathāgatas, accomplish true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have now finished this homage and confession on behalf of the six destinies; next we should awaken to impermanence. Fault and blessing across the three periods of time arise from one another as cause and effect, a matter that should press upon the mind with real feeling, not something to be held at a careless distance; we have always said that cause and effect answer one another as surely as echo answers sound, so that good and evil, in their consequences, could never be confused with one another. We ask only that the assembly awaken to impermanence, diligently cultivating practice to sustain ourselves, and not give way to laziness and fail to make the effort. The wise have always lamented: even should one enjoy the pleasures of the five desires for a thousand myriad koṭis of years, one still could not in the end escape the suffering of the three evil paths — how much less, then, can we, whose own lives do not even reach a hundred years, let alone half of that, afford to remain at ease within so brief a span? Moreover, the illusions of this world return, in the end, to dissolution: what seems permanent is entirely exhausted, what stands lofty also falls, every gathering ends in separation, and whatever is born must surely die — high office and generous emolument, who has ever been spared from this? Parents, brothers, sisters, and every degree of kin, however deep the love that reaches to the very marrow, cannot take one's place when the moment comes to give up this life. Glory, rank, wealth, and every treasured possession likewise cannot extend a person's own span of years, nor can they be bought off with fine words or offerings of food and drink — this formless reckoning, who could ever hold it back? The sūtra says: to die is to be utterly finished — the breath cut off, the spirit departed, the body and its frame left desolate. Every person and every creature comes to this one end; nothing that is born fails to end. And at the very moment of giving up this life, one undergoes great anguish, surrounded by wailing kin both near and distant, the dying one terrified and not knowing where to turn, the body already hollow and cold, the breath about to fail, beholding now the very signs of the good and evil one has done: for the one who has cultivated good, heavenly spirits come to support and guard; for the one who has done evil, the ox-headed demon stands already at his side, and the jailers and rākṣasas grant no mercy at all. Loving parents and filial children cannot save one another then; husband and wife, however deep their affection, can only watch each other reach this very end. The wind-blades dismember the body in agony beyond words, the dying one's very liver and gall torn apart bit by bit, immeasurable pain and anguish gathering all at once, the spirit-consciousness thrown into confusion as though mad or drunk — and though one may resolve, at last, to arouse a single thought of good or perform even the smallest act of merit, harboring only regret in the heart, it can no longer be done. Suffering and anguish such as this, no one else can bear in one's place. The Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: the dying have no provisions for the perilous road ahead, the destination impossibly far and no companion to travel with, walking on day and night without any limit, through depths of darkness with no light at all, entering a place with no barrier to stop them, yet arriving nowhere they can ever escape from. Living without cultivating merit, one returns at death to a place of suffering, its sorrow and bitterness beyond any cure — and it is not some fearsome, evil form that inspires this dread, but this very reckoning itself. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — the fruits of birth and death turn like a ring without end, the solitary spirit departing utterly alone with no one to witness it, impossible to search out, impossible to entrust anything to; we can only each strive to endure hardship and bear suffering, diligently cultivating the four immeasurables and six perfections, to serve as our own provision for that solitary journey through whatever destiny awaits — let none of us take comfort in our own present health and strength. Let each of us, 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, Ocean of Vast Learning. Homage to the Buddha, Upholder of the Flower. Homage to the Buddha Who Does Not Follow the World. Homage to the Buddha of the Joyful Multitude. Homage to the Buddha of the Peacock's Voice. Homage to the Buddha Never Retreating or Sinking. Homage to the Buddha Who Cuts Off the Stain of Craving for Existence. Homage to the Buddha of Deliverance through Dignified Deportment. Homage to the Buddha Widely Spread Among the Heavens. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Stride. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower's Hand. Homage to the Buddha of Majesty and Virtue. Homage to the Buddha Who Destroys the Brigand of Enmity. Homage to the Buddha Rich in Vast Learning. Homage to the Buddha of the Wondrous Land. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower's Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Lion's Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the Moonrise. Homage to the Buddha Who Extinguishes Darkness. Homage to the Buddha Unmoving. Homage to the Bodhisattva, Lion at Play. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Vigorous Leap. 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, by the power of compassion, they together extend their shelter, and that all who confess together today at this rite, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have every karmic cause of fault and every immeasurable bitter fruit entirely cut off, the bound karma of affliction purified once and for all, their very form manifesting at every Dharma assembly of the Buddhas. May they walk the bodhisattva path at ease as they wish, cultivating the four immeasurables and six perfections exactly as taught, the four eloquences and six supernormal powers left wanting in nothing, a hundred thousand samādhis manifesting the instant they are called to mind, entering every gateway of dhāraṇī without exception, and swiftly ascending to this very awakening-site to accomplish true and equal awakening.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — once again, with utmost sincerity, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, arousing a compassionate mind with no notion of enemy or friend, on behalf of everyone who has today done the raw and cooked labor, performed the toil, rejoiced in contributing their effort, and lent their strength to help build this very merit, each together with their retinue; and further, on behalf of those in this present world confined in prison, in distress and hardship, shut away behind bars, and subject to every punishment — reflecting that, though they have obtained a human body, their lot in this life brings little joy and much suffering, the cangue, chains, and shackles never once leaving their body. What has brought this about? Whether evil committed in this very life, or a debt pursued from a past one; whether they ought by rights to be freed yet have no way to plead their own case, or bear so grave a fault that they face execution with no one to come to their rescue — for living beings such as this, each together with their retinue, we disciples, today, with a compassionate mind, universally take refuge, on their behalf, in the great and compassionate father of every world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Sequential Conduct. Homage to the Buddha of the Lamp of Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha Ordered by Voice and Sound. Homage to the Buddha Gautama. Homage to the Buddha of Power and Might. Homage to the Buddha of the Abiding of Body and Mind. Homage to the Buddha, Excellent Moon. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower of Awakened Intent. Homage to the Buddha of Supreme Auspiciousness. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Majesty and Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Virtue of the Power of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha, Excellent Lamp. Homage to the Buddha of Firm Conduct. Homage to the Buddha of the Heavenly Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Peace and Joy. Homage to the Buddha, Sun-Face. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Liberation. Homage to the Buddha of the Bright Precept. Homage to the Buddha Abiding in the Precept. Homage to the Buddha Without Stain. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Banner. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Deeds. 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, by the power of compassion, they together extend their shelter, and that everyone who today performed labor and rejoiced in contributing to it, each together with their retinue, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have every obstruction of fault dissolved, every suffering liberated once and for all, their lifespan extended and body and mind at peace and joy, forever free of calamity and misfortune with no further affliction. May they arouse the mind of the Great Vehicle and cultivate bodhisattva practice, the six perfections and four immeasurables all fully complete, giving up the suffering of birth and death to attain the joy of nirvāṇa. We further pray that those confined as convict laborers at the Eastern and Western Foundries and every other prison, shut away in distress and hardship, and those suffering from illness and unable to move freely, each together with their retinue, may, through the merit and majestic power of this homage paid today on their behalf, have every suffering entirely liberated, the causes of their evil karma cut off once and for all, leaving the door of the prison behind to enter the gateway of wholesome dharmas, their lifespan without end and their power of wisdom inexhaustible, body and mind forever at peace and joy as in the third dhyāna. Mindful of the suffering of imprisonment and recalling the kindness of the Buddhas, may they reform their evil and cultivate what is good, all arousing the mind of the Great Vehicle, walking the bodhisattva path to the very limit of the vajra, and returning once more to deliver every living being, together ascending to true awakening, their spiritual power at ease.

Having now finished this confession and the arousing of the awakening-mind, we next turn to dedication. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — having now aroused the awakening-mind and accomplished what needed to be accomplished, we should next dedicate the merit gained so far. Why is this so? The reason every living being fails to attain liberation is entirely because of clinging to worldly reward, unable to let it go; but should even the smallest fragment of blessing, the tiniest bit of goodness, be dedicated, one no longer gives rise to clinging toward its reward, and is thereby able to attain liberation, moving freely at ease. This is why the sūtra praises the practice of dedication as a great benefit. For this reason, today, we should make this dedication, and, in doing so, urge everyone not to cling to reward. We ourselves, together, should first, with sincere mind, prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, and take refuge, offering up our very lives, in reverent homage to the great and compassionate father of the world. Homage to the Buddha Maitreya. Homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Homage to the Buddha of Firm Emergence. Homage to the Buddha Añjana. Homage to the Buddha of Increase and Benefit. Homage to the Buddha of Fragrant Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of Vilamba. Homage to the Buddha of Gold and Jade. Homage to the Buddha of the Honey Bowl. Homage to the Buddha of the Unhindered Mark. Homage to the Buddha of Faith and Precept. Homage to the Buddha of the Utmost Wondrous Way. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Truth. Homage to the Buddha of the Bright Dharma. Homage to the Buddha Endowed with Majesty and Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Utmost Quiescence. Homage to the Buddha of Supreme Loving-Kindness. Homage to the Buddha of Great Loving-Kindness. Homage to the Buddha, Lord of Ambrosia. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of Meru. Homage to the Buddha Praised as Sagely. Homage to the Buddha of Vast Illumination. Homage to the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. 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. We pray that, by the power of compassion, they together extend their shelter, so that every practice and vow may be brought to perfect completion. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice, from this day forward until reaching awakening, vow to walk the bodhisattva path and never turn back, delivering living beings first and only then becoming a buddha. Should we remain in the midst of birth and death before attaining the Way, may the power of this vow cause this whole assembly, wherever we are born, to keep the karma of body, speech, and mind forever pure of itself, constantly arousing a vast, excellent, and wondrous mind: a gentle mind, a harmonious mind, a courageous mind, a mind free of negligence, a quiescent mind, a true mind, a mind free of confusion, a mind free of greed and stinginess, a mind of great excellence, a mind of great compassion, a settled mind, a joyful mind, a mind that delivers all beings first, a mind that guards all beings, a mind that guards the awakening-mind, and a mind that vows to be equal to the Buddha's own. Arousing minds vast, excellent, and wondrous such as these, single-mindedly seeking vast learning and cultivating concentration free of desire, benefiting and bringing peace to every living being, never abandoning the awakening-mind, together may we accomplish true and equal awakening. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together, kneeling with one knee raised and palms joined, let us speak with mind and voice, following what I now say: Whether entering meditation or emerging from it, I urge the practice of every good deed. The roots of merit found in all three vehicles, I dedicate entirely to living beings, that we may together return to the unsurpassed Way. Whatever wholesome karma of the sagely path exists in the heavens or among humankind, I now urge that it be dedicated, that we may together return to the unsurpassed Way. Whatever tiny fragment of blessing comes from arousing the mind, from confession, from one's own practice, or from urging others on, I dedicate it entirely to living beings. Until every living being has attained buddhahood, I will not abandon the vow of awakening; only once every being has become a buddha shall I myself ascend to true awakening. I look up and pray that the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, the undefiled sages every one, in this life and in every life to come, will receive me — this alone I ask. Together, with sincere mind, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground, on behalf of: the dedication for the sovereign and ruler of the state; the dedication on behalf of our parents and kin; the dedication on behalf of our teachers and fellow students; the dedication on behalf of our benefactors, donors, and good and evil companions; the dedication on behalf of the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the world; and further the dedication for the demon kings of the ten directions; and further the dedication for every wise and upright spirit of heaven, earth, and empty space who rewards good and punishes evil and upholds spells, the dragon kings of the five directions, and the dragon spirits of the eightfold division; and further the dedication for every seen and unseen spirit; and further the dedication for every living being throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space. We ask only that every god, immortal, dragon spirit of the eightfold division, and every living being of the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may forever dwell in the markless and never again cling to anything at all.