Fascicle 10

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have now endured hardship and borne suffering, cultivating wholesome roots without measure such as these. Let each of us further arouse this very thought: whatever wholesome root we ourselves have cultivated, we dedicate entirely to benefiting every living being, so that every living being may attain purity in the end. Through this wholesome root of confession that we have cultivated, may every living being have the immeasurable suffering of the hells, the hungry ghosts, the animals, and King Yama's court entirely dissolved. Through this rite of confession, may we become, for every living being, a great refuge that dissolves the very aggregate of suffering; a great protector that frees them from affliction; a place of refuge that removes their fear; a resting-place that brings them to the ground of wisdom; a haven that brings them to the ultimate place of peace; a great brightness that dissolves the darkness of folly; a great lamp that brings them to abide in ultimate clarity and purity; and a great guiding teacher that brings them into the gateway of skillful means, to attain the pure body of wisdom. Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — dharmas such as these are what the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas practice for the sake of enemy and friend alike, dedicating every wholesome root equally to every living being without distinction, entering an equal view free of any notion of enemy or friend, and forever regarding every living being with loving eyes. Should a living being harbor resentment toward a bodhisattva and give rise to a hostile, rebellious mind, the bodhisattva remains a true and good friend to them, skillfully taming that mind and expounding the profound Dharma for their sake. Just as the great ocean cannot be spoiled by any poison poured into it, so too the bodhisattva: though foolish and unwise beings, not knowing how to repay kindness, give rise to evil without measure, they cannot disturb or shake the bodhisattva's mind set upon the Way. Just as the bright sun shines universally upon every living being and does not hide its light merely because some have no eyes to see it, so too the bodhisattva's mind set upon the Way does not retreat or fail because of the wicked, and does not abandon its wholesome roots merely because living beings are difficult to tame. The bodhisattva-mahāsattva, in every wholesome root, keeps a pure and believing mind and nurtures great compassion, dedicating every wholesome root to living beings from the depths of the heart, not merely with words on the lips. Toward every living being, the bodhisattva arouses a joyful mind, a clear and pure mind, a gentle mind, a compassionate mind, a loving and caring mind, a gathering mind, a beneficial mind, a peaceful mind, and a mind of the utmost excellence, and dedicates every wholesome root by means of these. Since the bodhisattva-mahāsattva arouses a dedication of wholesome roots such as this, we ourselves, today, should look up to and learn this same dedication. Let us speak with mind and voice: whatever merit we ourselves have to dedicate, may it cause every living being to attain a pure destiny, to attain a pure birth with merit fully complete, so that nothing in any world can ever destroy it; may their merit and wisdom be without limit, the karma of their body, speech, and mind fully adorned, constantly beholding the Buddhas, and, through an unbreakable faith, listening to and accepting the true Dharma, leaving behind every net of doubt, holding it in mind without forgetting; may the karma of their body and speech be purified, their mind constantly settled upon excellent and wondrous wholesome roots, forever free of poverty and fully endowed with the seven kinds of wealth, learning and practicing everything a bodhisattva learns, attaining every wholesome root and accomplishing equanimity, attaining wondrous liberation and the wisdom of all modes, and, toward every living being, gaining eyes of loving-kindness. May their bodily faculties be pure, their speech eloquent and wise, arousing every wholesome mind untainted by any attachment, entering the most profound Dharma and gathering in everyone, dwelling together with the Buddhas in their very dwelling of no fixed abode. May every dedication we make be just as the dedication made by the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas of the ten directions, vast as the Dharma-nature itself, ultimate as empty space itself. We pray that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled, and that every being of the four modes of birth and six destinies may together obtain just as they have vowed. Once again, with heightened devotion, 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 Majesty and Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Beholding Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Reward for Conduct. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Joy. Homage to the Buddha Without Sorrow. Homage to the Buddha of Jeweled Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of Dignified Deportment. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha, Ocean of Merit. Homage to the Buddha of Exhausting Every Mark. Homage to the Buddha Who Cuts Off Māra. Homage to the Buddha Who Exhausts Māra. Homage to the Buddha Who Has Passed Beyond the Path of Decline. Homage to the Buddha of Indestructible Intent. Homage to the Buddha, King of Waters. Homage to the Buddha Who Purifies Māra. Homage to the Buddha, Supreme King of the Multitude. Homage to the Buddha of Beloved Brightness. Homage to the Buddha of the Mark of Awakening. Homage to the Buddha of the Brightness of Wisdom. 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 together receive us, so that this very dedicating mind may be fully accomplished. Should we disciples possess evil karma and fault without measure, deserving cruel torment without limit and unable to pull ourselves out of the evil destinies, thereby violating the awakening-mind, the awakening-conduct, and the awakening-vow aroused today, we pray that the great bodhisattvas and every sage throughout the ten directions, with a compassionate mind never departing from their original vow, may assist us disciples within those very three evil destinies, rescuing every living being and bringing them to liberation. May they never abandon living beings merely because of their suffering, but bear this heavy burden on our behalf, fulfilling the vow of equanimity, delivering every living being from birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, worry, anguish, and every immeasurable adversity, bringing every living being to purity, fully endowed with wholesome roots and liberated once and for all, leaving behind every demon and every evil companion, drawing close to good friends and true and virtuous kin, accomplishing pure karma and dissolving every suffering entirely, fully endowed with the bodhisattva's immeasurable practice and vow, beholding the Buddhas with joy and attaining omniscience, and returning once more to deliver every living being.

Having now finished the dedication, we next turn to making a vow for each of the six faculties. We further vow, today, that this assembly gathered together in this common practice, each on our own, arouse this very vow: tracing where every evil arises, we find it always conditioned by the six faculties — these are the very root of every calamity. And yet, though they are the root of calamity, they are equally able to bring about blessed karma without measure. This is why the Śrīmālā Sūtra says: guard the six faculties and purify body, speech, and mind. By this very principle, proven as the root from which goodness arises, we now arouse a great vow for each of the six faculties. We vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our eyes forever not see the form of insatiable craving and deceptive illusion; not see the form of flattery, sycophancy, and cunning collusion; not see the bewitching forms of black, yellow, vermilion, and purple that lead people astray; not see the ugly form of hatred and contention; not see the form of beating and injury that harms another; not see the form of slaughter and mutilation inflicted upon living beings; not see the form of foolish unbelief and doubt-darkened confusion; not see the form of arrogance without humility or respect; not see the form of the ninety-six kinds of false views — may our eyes forever not see forms of evil and unwholesomeness such as these. May our eyes forever see the calm and tranquil form of the ever-abiding Dharma-body throughout the ten directions; forever see the purple-gold form of the thirty-two marks; forever see the accompanying form of the eighty excellent characteristics; forever see the form of the gods and immortals offering treasures and scattering flowers; forever see the form of the five-colored light issuing from the mouth as the Dharma is taught to deliver people; forever see the form of the body divided and scattered to fill the ten directions; forever see the form of the Buddhas emitting light from the crown of the head, drawing those with karmic affinity to come together. We further vow that our eyes may forever see the form of the bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and arhats of the ten directions, that we may constantly, together with every living being and their kin, behold the very form of the Buddha; forever see the form of every goodness needing no instruction; forever see the form of the pure flowers of the seven factors of awakening; forever see the form of the wondrous fruit of liberation; forever see the form of this very assembly today, joyfully praising and receiving the Dharma upon the crown of the head; forever see the form of the fourfold assembly gathered round, listening to the Dharma with thirsting eagerness; forever see the form of every act of giving, precept-keeping, patience, and diligence; forever see the form of everyone silently absorbed in meditation and cultivating wisdom; forever see the form of every living being attaining the acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas and receiving, before our very eyes, the joyful prediction of awakening; forever see the form of everyone ascending to vajra wisdom, cutting through the darkness of ignorance to become a bodhisattva of the final stage; forever see the form of everyone bathing in the stream of the Dharma without ever turning back. Having now finished making the vow of the eye faculty, together, with sincere mind, 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 Excellent Quiescence. Homage to the Buddha of Brahmā's Life. Homage to the Buddha, Joy of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the Spiritual Mark. Homage to the Buddha, King Like the Multitude. Homage to the Buddha, Upholder of the Earth. Homage to the Buddha, Beloved Sun. Homage to the Buddha of Rāhu's Moon. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower's Brightness. Homage to the Buddha, Master of Medicine. Homage to the Buddha, Upholder of Power and Might. Homage to the Buddha of Bright Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Bright Joy. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Voice. Homage to the Buddha of the Mastery of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of Brahmā's Voice. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Wondrous Sound. Homage to the Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta. 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 we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our ears forever not hear the sound of wailing, sorrow, and weeping; not hear the sound of suffering in the Avīci hell; not hear the thunderous roar of the boiling cauldron; not hear the sound of blades cutting and tearing on the mountain of swords and the forest of blades; not hear the immeasurable cries of suffering separated across the eighteen hells. We further vow that, from this day forward, our ears may forever not hear the sound of hungry ghosts, starving and parched, crying out for food they cannot obtain; not hear the sound, as hungry ghosts move, of fire crackling like five hundred carts between their very joints. We further vow that, from this day forward, our ears may forever not hear the sound of animals five hundred yojanas in length, bitten and devoured in agony by countless small creatures; not hear the sound of those who, having failed to repay a debt, are reborn as a camel, donkey, horse, or ox, forever bearing heavy loads and suffering under the whip and the rod. May our ears forever not hear the sound of the eight sufferings, including separation from what is loved and union with what is hated; not hear the sound of suffering brought by the four hundred and four diseases; not hear any sound of evil or unwholesomeness at all; not hear the beguiling sound of bells, chimes, conches, drums, zithers, harps, and jeweled ornaments. We ask only that every living being, from this day forward, may have their ears forever hear the eightfold voice of the Buddhas expounding the Dharma; forever hear the sound of impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and non-self; forever hear the sound of the eighty-four thousand perfections; forever hear the sound that every dharma is merely a provisional name without fixed nature; forever hear the sound of the Buddhas expounding the Dharma in a single voice, each understanding it according to their own capacity; forever hear the sound that every living being possesses the buddha-nature and the Dharma-body abides forever, never destroyed; forever hear the sound of the bodhisattvas of the ten grounds advancing through patient cultivation; forever hear the sound of attaining the understanding of non-arising, entering well into the Buddha's wisdom, and departing the three realms; forever hear the sound of the Dharma-body bodhisattvas entering the flowing water of the Dharma, contemplating the ultimate and the conventional together, every thought fully endowed with the ten thousand practices; forever hear the sound of the pratyekabuddhas and arhats of the four fruits throughout the ten directions; forever hear the sound of Indra expounding the Prajñā to the gods; forever hear the sound of the great beings of the ten grounds, bodhisattvas of the final stage, expounding the Dharma of the never-turning-back ground in the Tuṣita palace; forever hear the sound of every goodness returning together to buddhahood; forever hear the sound of the Buddhas praising every living being able to practice the ten wholesome deeds and rejoicing in it. May every living being forever hear the sound of the Buddhas praising them, saying: excellent — this person shall soon accomplish buddhahood. Having now finished making the vow of the ear faculty, together, with sincere mind, let us once again 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 Excellent Karma. Homage to the Buddha Never Mistaken in Intent. Homage to the Buddha of Great Giving. Homage to the Buddha Renowned and Praised. Homage to the Buddha of Every Mark. Homage to the Buddha of Virtue Widely Spread. Homage to the Buddha of the Mastery of the World. Homage to the Buddha of the Tree of Virtue. Homage to the Buddha Who Extinguishes Folly. Homage to the Buddha Boundless. Homage to the Buddha, Excellent Moon. Homage to the Buddha of the Mark of Boundless Eloquence. Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Jeweled Moon. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Moonlight. 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, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the six destinies, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our noses forever not smell the odor of flesh killed and seasoned for food; not smell the odor of hunting and burning that harms living beings; not smell the odor of creatures steamed, boiled, and roasted; not smell the foul odor of the thirty-six impure substances within this leather sack of a body; not smell the bewitching scent of fine silks and gauze. We further vow that our noses may not smell the odor of flaying and burning in the hells; not smell the odor of the hungry ghosts' food mixed with filth, pus, and blood in their hunger and thirst; not smell the rank and impure odor of animals; not smell the odor of the sick, lying unattended in bed, their wounds festering and unapproachable; not smell the foul odor of excrement and urine; not smell the odor of a corpse, bloated and consumed by worms in decay. We ask only that this assembly and every being of the six destinies, from this day forward, may have their noses forever smell the priceless fragrance of ox-head sandalwood from every world of the ten directions; forever smell the fragrance of the five-colored udumbara flower; forever smell the fragrance of the flowering trees in the Garden of Joy; forever smell the fragrance present when the Dharma is taught in the Tuṣita palace; forever smell the fragrance present when there is joyful play in the Hall of Wondrous Dharma; forever smell the fragrance of living beings of the ten directions practicing the five precepts, the ten wholesome deeds, and the six recollections; forever smell the fragrance of the sixteen practices of every practitioner at the seven expedient stages; forever smell the fragrance of the manifold virtue of the pratyekabuddhas, the learners and adepts of the ten directions; forever smell the fragrance of the undefiled attainment of the four fruits and four approaches; forever smell the fragrance of the Dharma-clouds of the immeasurable bodhisattva grounds — joyful, stainless, radiant, blazing with wisdom, hard to conquer, gone afar, immovable, of excellent wisdom; forever smell the fragrance of the fivefold Dharma-body of the sages — precept, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation; forever smell the fragrance of the Buddhas' own awakening; forever smell the fragrance of the thirty-seven factors of awakening, the twelve links of dependent origination, and the six perfections; forever smell the fragrance of great compassion, the three mindfulnesses, the ten powers, the four fearlessnesses, and the eighteen exclusive qualities; forever smell the fragrance of the eighty-four thousand perfections; forever smell the fragrance of the immeasurable, supreme, and ever-abiding Dharma-body throughout the ten directions. Having now finished making the vow of the nose faculty, together, with sincere mind, 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, Dharma of Lituo. Homage to the Buddha Worthy of Offering. Homage to the Buddha Who Delivers from Sorrow. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Peace. Homage to the Buddha of the Intent of the World. Homage to the Buddha, Beloved Body. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Feet. Homage to the Buddha Utpala. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower Garland. Homage to the Buddha of the Light of Boundless Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha of Faith in the Sage. Homage to the Buddha of the Diligence of Virtue. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Wondrous Virtue. Homage to the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha. 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, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our tongues forever not taste the flavor of flesh taken by killing living beings; not taste the flavor of anything that has died of itself; not taste the flavor of the blood and marrow of living creatures; not taste the flavor of poison used against an enemy; not taste any flavor that gives rise to craving and affliction. May our tongues forever taste the hundred wondrous flavors of ambrosia; forever taste the flavor of every natural food and drink; forever taste the flavor of the fragrant rice of the Land of Fragrance Accumulated; forever taste the very flavor of what the Buddhas themselves eat; forever taste the flavor of food manifested through the cultivation and permeation of the Dharma-body's precept, concentration, and wisdom; forever taste the flavor of joy in the Dharma and delight in meditation; forever taste the sweet and harmonious flavor of immeasurable merit that nourishes the life of wisdom; forever taste the single, equal flavor of liberation; forever taste the flavor of the Buddhas' own nirvāṇa, the utmost joy and the most excellent flavor of all. Having now finished making the vow of the tongue faculty, together, with sincere mind, 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 Truth. Homage to the Buddha, Lord of the Heavens. Homage to the Buddha of the Lofty Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Pure Faith. Homage to the Buddha Vajradhāra. Homage to the Buddha of the Intent of Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Blazing Flame. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of Accomplished Gathering. Homage to the Buddha, Lion at Play. Homage to the Buddha Akṣobhya. Homage to the Buddha of Pure Faith. Homage to the Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha. Homage to the Bodhisattva Sadāprarudita. 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 pity and shelter us, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our bodies forever not feel the touch of the five desires' seductive charm; not feel the touch of the boiling cauldron, the burning coals, or the freezing ice; not feel the touch, among the hungry ghosts, of fire burning atop the head and molten copper poured down the throat, scorching and festering; not feel the touch of flaying and cruel torment among the animals; not feel the touch of suffering from the four hundred and four diseases; not feel the touch of unbearable extreme heat and extreme cold; not feel the touch of mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and every biting insect; not feel the touch of harm inflicted by blade, staff, and poison; not feel the touch of hunger, thirst, and every hardship. May our bodies forever feel the touch of the wondrous garments of the heavens; forever feel the touch of natural ambrosia; forever feel a touch cool and refreshing, neither cold nor hot; forever feel a touch neither hungry nor thirsty, free of illness and affliction, at rest and at ease; forever feel a touch of lying down in peace and waking in peace, free of worry and fear; forever feel the touch of a gentle breeze upon the body in the pure lands of the Buddhas of the ten directions; forever feel the touch of bathing body and mind in the seven-jeweled pools of the pure lands of the Buddhas of the ten directions; forever feel a touch free of the suffering of old age, sickness, and death; forever feel the touch of flying freely at will, listening to the Dharma together with the bodhisattvas; forever feel the touch of the eight masteries of the Buddhas' own nirvāṇa. Having now finished making the vow of the body faculty, together, with sincere mind, 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 Bright Conduct. Homage to the Buddha of the Dragon's Voice. Homage to the Buddha, Upholder of the Wheel. Homage to the Buddha of Accomplished Wealth. Homage to the Buddha, Beloved of the World. Homage to the Buddha Renowned in the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha of Boundless Jeweled Renown. Homage to the Buddha of the Mark of the Cloud. Homage to the Buddha of the Way of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Fragrance. Homage to the Buddha of the Voice of Empty Space. Homage to the Buddha of Empty Space. Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Transcends the Three Realms. Homage to the Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla. 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, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly gathered together today, extending broadly to every living being of the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our minds constantly know craving, hatred, and folly as an affliction; constantly know killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct of the body, and false speech, flowery speech, divisive speech, and harsh speech of the mouth, as an affliction; constantly know that killing one's father, killing one's mother, killing an arhat, drawing the blood of a buddha, and causing a schism in the harmonious community are the crimes of immediate retribution; constantly know that slandering the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and disbelieving the law of cause and effect and of rebirth and requital after death, are wrong; constantly know to keep far from evil companions and draw close to good friends; constantly know that consulting and accepting the teachings of the ninety-six kinds of false teachers is wrong; constantly know that the three defilements, the five hindrances, and the ten bonds are obstructions; constantly know that the three evil paths are places to be feared, where the retribution of birth and death is cruel and severe. May our minds constantly know that every living being possesses the buddha-nature; constantly know that the Buddhas are the great and compassionate father, the unsurpassed king of physicians, that every venerable Dharma is the very medicine for every living being's illness, and that every sage and worthy is the mother who tends to every living being's sickness. May our minds constantly know that, having taken refuge in the Three Jewels, we should receive the five precepts and next practice the ten wholesome deeds, for dharmas such as these can bring about an excellent reward among gods and humans. Constantly know that, not yet free of birth and death, we should cultivate the seven expedient contemplations up through the stage of forbearance; constantly know that we should practice the sixteen sagely minds of undefiled patient acceptance, first cultivating the sixteen aspects of contemplation upon the four noble truths; constantly know that the four truths, being equally without any fixed mark, bring about the four fruits; constantly know every dharma in its general and particular characteristics; constantly know that the twelve links of dependent origination turn through cause and effect across the three periods of time without ever ceasing; constantly know to cultivate the six perfections and the eighty-four thousand practices; constantly know to cut off the eighty-four thousand forms of worldly affliction; constantly know that realizing non-arising must cut off birth and death; constantly know the ten abodes in their proper stages and sequence, fully complete; constantly know that, with the vajra-mind, one cuts through the darkness of ignorance to attain the unsurpassed fruit; constantly know that, realizing the ultimate in a single illumination, every virtue is perfectly complete and every accumulated affliction entirely exhausted, accomplishing the great nirvāṇa; constantly know the Buddha-ground's ten powers, four fearlessnesses, eighteen exclusive qualities, and immeasurable merit and immeasurable wholesome dharmas. Having now finished making the vow of the mind faculty, together, with sincere mind, 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, Heavenly King. Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Pearl. Homage to the Buddha of Excellent Wealth. Homage to the Buddha of the Lamp Flame. Homage to the Buddha of the Jeweled Voice. Homage to the Buddha, Sovereign King of Humans. Homage to the Buddha, Guardian Rāhu. Homage to the Buddha of Peace and Ease. Homage to the Buddha of the Lion's Intent. Homage to the Buddha Renowned as a Jewel. Homage to the Buddha of Attained Benefit. Homage to the Buddha Who Sees All Things. Homage to the Bodhisattva Aśvaghoṣa. Homage to the Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna. 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, with a compassionate mind, they pity, shelter, protect, and receive us, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that this assembly, extending broadly to every living being of the ten directions, from this day forward until reaching awakening, may have our mouths forever not disparage the Three Jewels; not slander those who propagate the sūtras by speaking of their faults; not say that doing good brings no joyful reward, or that doing evil brings no bitter fruit; not say that a person, once dead, is utterly extinguished and never reborn; not speak of matters that bring no benefit but only harm to others; not expound the scriptures composed by those of false view and heterodox teaching; not instruct others to commit the ten evil deeds; not instruct others to commit the five heinous crimes; not praise another's evil; not speak of worldly matters that are merely idle amusement and jest; not instruct others to place their faith wrongly in evil spirits and ghosts; not pass judgment on whether others are attractive or ugly; not rage at or curse our parents, teachers, and good friends; not urge others to commit fault; and not prevent others from performing merit. May our mouths forever praise the Three Jewels, praise those who propagate the Dharma by speaking of their merit, show others the fruits of good and evil karma, constantly say that, once a person's body dies, their spirit is not destroyed, constantly utter wholesome words that benefit others, constantly expound the twelve divisions of the Tathāgata's own venerable scriptures, constantly say that every living being possesses the buddha-nature and shall attain the eternal, the blissful, the true self, and the pure, constantly teach others to serve their parents with filial devotion and revere their teachers, constantly urge others to take refuge in the Three Jewels and uphold the five precepts, the ten wholesome deeds, and the six recollections, constantly praise and recite the scriptures and chant of every goodness, and constantly teach others to draw close to good and wise friends and keep far from evil companions. May our mouths forever expound the immeasurable merit of the ten abodes and the Buddha-ground, causing others to cultivate the practice that leads to the pure land and adorn its ultimate fruit, constantly teach others to bow diligently before the Three Jewels, constantly teach others to erect sacred images and cultivate every offering, constantly teach others to perform every good deed as though putting out a fire upon their own head, and constantly teach others to rescue the poor and relieve the suffering without ever pausing to rest. Having now finished making the vow of speech, together, with sincere mind, 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 the Flower of the World. Homage to the Buddha of the Lofty Summit. Homage to the Buddha of Impartial Eloquence. Homage to the Buddha of the Knowledge and Vision of Distinctions. Homage to the Buddha of the Lion's Fang. Homage to the Buddha, Stride of Lituo. Homage to the Buddha of Blessed Virtue. Homage to the Buddha of the Excellent Lamp of the Dharma. Homage to the Buddha Maudgalyāyana. Homage to the Buddha of the Sorrowless Land. Homage to the Buddha of Reflective Intent. Homage to the Buddha, Delight in Awakening. 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 shelter, protect, and receive us, so that we disciples may obtain just as we have vowed, our awakening-vow fulfilled.

We further vow that every living being of the four modes of birth and six destinies throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space, from the moment this vow is made, may each be fully endowed with every gateway of practice: the gateway of loving and revering the Three Jewels through deep faith; the gateway of firmness that harbors no doubt; the gateway of diligent confession, wishing to cut off evil as it arises; the gateway of mindful repentance, wishing for purity; the gateway of guarding the body through a mind pure of itself; the gateway of guarding speech by forever purifying the four requisites; the gateway of guarding the mind by never violating the three karmas; the gateway of awakening, fully endowed with every wish; the gateway of a compassionate mind that, above all, does no harm; the gateway of a loving mind that transforms others and establishes virtue; the gateway of joy that never disparages another; the gateway of utmost sincerity that never deceives another; the gateway wishing to extinguish the three evil paths through the Three Jewels; the gateway of truth that is never false in the end; the gateway of casting off harm without arrogance toward self or other; the gateway of abandoning every bond without hesitation; the gateway free of contention, cutting off the mind of strife and litigation; and the gateway of upholding equanimity in accord with the true Dharma. We further vow that living beings may be fully endowed with immeasurable gateways such as these. The gateway of the mind's own direction is to contemplate the mind as illusion; the gateway of resolving intent is to cast off the very root of the unwholesome; the gateway of spiritual power is lightness and ease of body and mind; the gateway of the faculty of faith is a root that never wishes to turn back; the gateway of the faculty of diligence is a yoke of goodness never set down; the gateway of the faculty of mindfulness is the skillful accomplishment of the karma of the Way; the gateway of the faculty of concentration is gathering the mind upon the right path; the gateway of the faculty of wisdom is contemplating impermanence and emptiness; the gateway of the power of faith is surpassing the very might of Māra; the gateway of the power of diligence is to go forward once and never turn back; the gateway of the power of mindfulness is never once forgetting or abandoning it; the gateway of the power of concentration is dissolving every deluded thought; the gateway of the power of wisdom is moving freely back and forth without hindrance; the gateway of the awakening-factor of diligence is accumulating the practice of the Buddha's own path; the gateway of right concentration is attaining samādhi itself; and the gateway of pure nature is taking no delight in any lesser vehicle. We vow that every living being may be fully endowed with the eighty-four thousand gateways of the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas such as these, purifying the buddha-land and converting the stingy and envious, delivering every being from every evil and every one of the eight adversities, gathering in those given to strife, litigation, and hatred, diligently practicing every goodness to gather in the negligent, and, through settled intent and spiritual power, gathering in every confused and scattered thought. Having now finished making this vow, together, with sincere mind, 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 Revered by the Dharma and the Heavens. Homage to the Buddha Who Cuts Off Every Power. Homage to the Buddha of Utmost Power. Homage to the Buddha of the Flower of Wisdom. Homage to the Buddha of the Firm Voice. Homage to the Buddha of Peace and Joy. Homage to the Buddha of Wondrous Meaning. Homage to the Buddha of Beloved Purity. Homage to the Buddha of the Countenance of Shame. Homage to the Buddha of the Wondrous Topknot. Homage to the Buddha of Delight and Joy. Homage to the Buddha Louzhi. 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 rescue, protect, and receive us, so that every being of the three realms, six destinies, and four modes of birth, through the merit and causes and conditions of arousing the mind and making this vow at this Rite of Compassion, may each be fully endowed with merit and wisdom, at ease according to their own mind through spiritual power. Having now finished making this vow, we next turn to the entrustment and circulation of this rite.

Today, the assembly gathered together in this common practice — together we have now finished making this vow for every being of the six destinies and four modes of birth; next we entrust these very living beings to the great bodhisattvas, praying that, with a compassionate mind, they together receive them. Through the merit and causes and conditions of this confession and vow, may every living being delight in seeking the unsurpassed field of blessing, deeply believing that giving to a Buddha brings a reward without measure. May every living being turn their mind single-mindedly toward the Buddha, fully attaining a pure fruit without measure. May every living being, in the presence of the Buddhas, harbor no stinginess at all, fully endowed with great generosity and holding nothing back. We further vow that every living being, in the presence of the Buddhas, may cultivate the unsurpassed field of blessing, leaving behind the two lesser vehicles to walk the bodhisattva path, attaining the Tathāgatas' own unhindered liberation and omniscience. We further vow that every living being may plant inexhaustible wholesome roots in the presence of the Buddhas, attaining the Buddhas' own immeasurable merit and wisdom. We further vow that every living being may gather in profound wisdom, fully endowed with the pure and unsurpassed king of wisdom. We further vow that every living being may wander freely at ease, attaining the Tathāgatas' own unhindered spiritual power to reach every place. We further vow that every living being may gather in the Great Vehicle, attaining immeasurable wisdom of every kind and abiding unmoved. We further vow that every living being may be fully endowed with and accomplish the foremost field of blessing, each able to bring forth the very ground of omniscience. We further vow that every living being may harbor no resentment toward any Buddha, planting every wholesome root and delighting in seeking the Buddha's own wisdom. We further vow that every living being, through wondrous skillful means, may journey to every adorned buddha-land, entering deeply into the Dharma-realm within a single thought without ever growing weary. We further vow that every living being may attain an incomparable body, able to wander throughout the worlds of the ten directions without ever tiring. We further vow that every living being may accomplish a vast and expansive body, moving freely at will, attaining every Buddha's own spiritual power to adorn the ultimate far shore, manifesting the Tathāgatas' own unhindered spiritual power throughout the whole reach of empty space within a single thought. Having now made this great vow, vast as the Dharma-nature itself, ultimate as empty space itself, may every living being obtain just as they have vowed, their awakening-vow fulfilled. Together, with sincere mind, let us prostrate ourselves fully to the ground. Should we disciples, undergoing the retribution of our own suffering, be unable to rescue these very living beings ourselves, we entrust them, with these living beings, to: The immeasurable and boundless bodhisattvas of the unborn Dharma-body throughout the whole reach of empty space; the immeasurable and boundless bodhisattvas of the undefiled form-body throughout the whole reach of empty space; the immeasurable and boundless bodhisattvas who have aroused the awakening-mind throughout the whole reach of empty space; the great teacher Aśvaghoṣa, who revived the true Dharma; the great teacher Nāgārjuna, who revived the semblance Dharma; the Bodhisattva of Boundless Body throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space; the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who rescues from suffering throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space; the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī; the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra; the Bodhisattva, Lion at Play; the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Vigorous Leap; the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Banner; the Bodhisattva of the Lion's Deeds; the Bodhisattva of Firm and Courageous Diligence; the Bodhisattva of Vajra Wisdom; the Bodhisattva Who Casts Off the Hindrances; the Bodhisattva of Tranquil Faculties; the Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom; the Bodhisattva Never Leaving the World; the Bodhisattva Medicine King; the Bodhisattva Supreme Medicine; the Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha; the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha; the Bodhisattva Ever Diligent; the Bodhisattva Never Resting; the Bodhisattva of Wondrous Sound; the Bodhisattva of Wondrous Virtue; the Bodhisattva of the Jeweled Moon; the Bodhisattva of Moonlight; the Bodhisattva Sadāprarudita; and the Bodhisattva Who Transcends the Three Realms. We further entrust these very living beings to every bodhisattva throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space in this way. We pray that the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas, by the power of their original vow and their vow to deliver living beings, may gather in every living being of the ten directions, without end and without limit. We pray that the bodhisattva-mahāsattvas may never abandon any living being, treating them the same as a good and wise friend, with no mark of distinction between them. We pray that every living being may know the bodhisattvas' kindness and draw close to make offerings to them; we pray that the bodhisattvas, with compassionate pity, may receive them, so that every living being attains an upright mind and follows the bodhisattvas without ever being parted from them. We pray that every living being may follow the bodhisattvas' teaching without ever rebelling against it, attaining a firm mind that never abandons a good and wise friend, leaving behind every defiled mind, indestructible. May every living being, for the sake of a good and wise friend, hold back neither body nor life, giving up everything rather than violate their teaching. May every living being cultivate great loving-kindness, keeping far from every evil, and, upon hearing the Buddha's true Dharma, be fully able to uphold it. May every living being share the same wholesome roots and karmic reward as the bodhisattvas, the bodhisattvas' own practice and vow purified once and for all, fully endowed with spiritual power and at ease as they wish, riding the Great Vehicle all the way to the ultimate omniscience, never once growing negligent along the way. Riding the vehicle of wisdom to the place of peace and ease, may they attain the unhindered vehicle and ultimate ease. From the very beginning until now — taking refuge in the Three Jewels, resolving doubt and giving rise to faith, confession and arousing the mind, revealing the fruits of karmic retribution, deliverance from the hells, dissolving grudges and rejoicing in ourselves, making vows and dedicating merit, all the way to this very entrustment — whatever merit there is in all of this, we give it entirely to every living being throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space.

May the World-Honored Maitreya appear now to bear witness for us; may the Buddhas of the ten directions, with pity, extend their shelter, so that whatever we have repented and whatever we have vowed may all be accomplished. May every living being be born together in this very land alongside the compassionate father, present at that very first assembly to hear the Dharma and awaken to the Way, fully endowed with every merit and wisdom, no different at all from the bodhisattvas themselves, entering the vajra-mind and accomplishing true and equal awakening. Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly and Fully Awakened One — complete in the three virtues, delivering people without measure and drawing them out of the suffering of birth and death. Through the merit and causes and conditions of this confession and homage paid today, may every living being be fully endowed, each obtaining just as they have vowed, their awakening-vow fulfilled. May the vow we disciples have made today be entirely the same, inexhaustible, as every vow made by all the Buddhas and great bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions and the whole reach of empty space; our own vow, made now, is likewise vast as the Dharma-nature itself, ultimate as empty space itself, to the very limit of the future and through every kalpa to come. Should living beings ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the worlds ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should empty space ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the Dharma-nature ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should nirvāṇa ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the Buddhas' appearance in the world ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the wisdom of the Buddhas ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the objects of the mind ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the arising of wisdom ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted; should the roots of the worldly path, the Dharma path, and the path of wisdom ever be exhausted, only then could our vow be exhausted. Only should these ten things all be exhausted could our own vow ever be exhausted. With this, we bow in reverence to the whole assembly of sages of the three vehicles.