佛說佛名經

Today, we disciples sit in the Dharma assembly. Previously, we repented and clearly described the retributions of evil karma. Because of the suffering and affliction brought by evil retribution, we turn away from excellent and wholesome karma.

Because of unwholesome karma, we must fall into the three evil paths (1) and undergo many sufferings. Even when born in the human world, we continue to repay karmic retributions. All this arises from causes and conditions in past lives.

We cast off this body and receive another without ever finding a moment’s rest. Therefore, the Buddhas and great bodhisattvas, possessing spiritual powers and the divine eye (2), see all beings in the three realms: when their merit is exhausted, they must follow their karma and fall into realms of suffering. They see beings in the Formless Realm delighting in and clinging to meditative concentration, unaware that when their lives end they must fall into the hell realm.

When their meritorious reward is exhausted, they assume the forms of birds and beasts. The devas of the Form Realm are likewise. From an excellent state they are born into the Desire Realm, which is already impure, and undergo every kind of suffering.

When their meritorious reward is exhausted, they must fall into hell and endure immeasurable suffering there.

They also see that those among humankind obtain a human body only through the power of cultivating the ten wholesome acts (3), yet still undergo many painful circumstances. When their lives end, if they are not skillful, they fall once more. Looking upon the animal path, they see all birds above and beasts below enduring manifold sufferings: beaten and driven, carrying heavy burdens and traveling far, painfully distressed, their shoulders chafed and necks abraded, their living bodies scorched by heat.

They also see hungry ghosts continually tormented by hunger and thirst, their bodies burned by fire. When that painful existence ends, those without even a little wholesome merit can never gain liberation. Those possessing merit and virtue may obtain human bodies, yet suffer many illnesses and die young.

The assembly should understand that the two paths of good and evil have never paused even momentarily. Retribution continues without interruption and never ceases. Wealth and poverty, nobility and lowliness arise according to one’s deeds.

No one receives a retribution without having created its cause. We disciples now sincerely bow to the immeasurable Buddhas of the south:

Homage to Buddha Light of Love

Homage to Buddha Renown

Homage to Buddha Faith and Merit

Homage to Buddha Pure Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Precious Merit

Homage to Buddha Fragrance of Wondrous Faith

Homage to Buddha Victorious Perfection

Homage to Buddha Victorious Sage

Homage to Buddha Precious Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Majestic Virtue of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Faith

Homage to Buddha Supreme Above the Moon

Homage to Buddha Dragon’s Gait

Homage to Buddha Wisdom of Faithful Concord

Homage to Buddha Lover of True Speech

Homage to Buddha Fragrance of the Utpala

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Sandalwood

Homage to Buddha Certain Victory

Homage to Buddha Universal Practice

Homage to Buddha Supreme Merit

Homage to Buddha Great Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Sun of Many Colors

Homage to Buddha Transcending All Faults

Homage to Buddha Immeasurable Eyes

Homage to Buddha Wisdom of Shame and Moral Dread

Homage to Buddha Merit of Offerings

Homage to Buddha of Many Voices

Homage to Buddha Delightful Merit

Homage to Buddha Abiding in Purity

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Fragrance

Homage to Buddha Moonlight

Homage to Buddha Domain of Discipline

Homage to Buddha Flower Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Uttama Mind

Homage to Buddha Unquestioning Mind

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Trace of the Mountain

Homage to Buddha King of Tranquility

Homage to Buddha King of Liberation

Homage to Buddha King A Ta Di Luu

Homage to Buddha Departed Shakra of Wish-Fulfilling Power

Homage to Buddha Nature of A De Gia

Homage to Buddha Unsung Victory of the World

Homage to Buddha Dharma Imbuement

Homage to Buddha King of Liberation, Precious Constellations

Homage to Buddha Victory of the White Jewel

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Dharma Practice

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Dharani

Homage to Buddha Voice of Ananda

Homage to Buddha King of the Wisdom Division

Homage to Buddha King Di Luu of Impartial Vigor

Homage to Buddha Wisdom and Vigor

Homage to Buddha Dharma Flower Thong Tho De

Homage to Buddha Da Ba Ni The

Homage to Buddha A Ni Gia Da Lo Ma Victory

Homage to Buddha Uttara Supreme Dharma

Homage to Buddha Great Wisdom Mindfulness Bond

Homage to Buddha Xà Già Đề, Sovereign Bearer of All Worlds

Homage to Buddha Vision Without Fear

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Doer

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Measure

Homage to Buddha Practicing in Accordance with the Dharma

The Buddha told the Venerable Shariputra: “I behold such Buddhas in immeasurable directions, as numerous as these, with many clans, many names, and many Buddha lands. You should wholeheartedly take refuge in them, revere them, and bow to them.” The Buddha told Shariputra: “You should take refuge for your lives in the Buddhas of the west”:

Homage to Buddha A Bà La Diệm Bà Sư Hoa

Homage to Buddha Ma Dật Sa, Voice Departed from the Mouth

Homage to Buddha Renown of Increasing Supreme Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Samantapashi

Homage to Buddha Thứ La Tỳ La, Flower of Blazing Light

Homage to Buddha Dharma-Practicing Burning Lamp

Homage to Buddha Unequaled Victory

Homage to Buddha King Renowned for Wisdom and Vigor

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Drum Voice of Brahma’s Vigor

Homage to Buddha Padmashri, Treasury Eye

Homage to Buddha Blazing Mind of the Asangha

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Celestial Moonlight

Homage to Buddha Delighting in Dharma Practice

Homage to Buddha Light of Manipadma

Homage to Buddha Lion of Vast Vision

Homage to Buddha Supreme Birth in the Ten Directions

Homage to Buddha Creator of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Boundless Vigor, Subduer of All Enemies

Homage to Buddha Great Victory, Arising Dharma

Homage to Buddha A Vô Hạ Vision

Homage to Buddha Boundless Life

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Contemplating the Dharma

Homage to Buddha King of Unobstructed Vigor, Sun of Wholesome Reflection and Diligent Advance

Homage to Buddha Mind That Does Not Harm Others

Homage to Buddha Boundless Vision

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Seeing the Dharma

Homage to Buddha Seed of All Wholesome Roots

Homage to Buddha Uttara Wisdom, Supreme Merit of Initiating Practice

Homage to Buddha Supreme Fragrance of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Fragrance of the Supreme Wisdom Crest

Homage to Buddha Gone to the Supreme Wisdom of Merit

Homage to Buddha King of the Inconceivable Dharma Flower’s Roar

Homage to Buddha Supreme Purity of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Di Luu Victory

Homage to Buddha Able to Open the Dharma Gate

Homage to Buddha Vairochana, King of the Fragrance of the Dharma Ocean

Homage to Buddha King of Power, Dharma King Well-Abiding

Homage to Buddha King of Supreme Power, Dispeller of All Evil

Homage to Buddha Seeing Boundless Bliss

Homage to Buddha King of Blazing Flowers, Merit of Skillful Transformation

Homage to Buddha Seeing the Other Shore

Homage to Buddha Adornment of Skillful Transformation

Homage to Buddha Seeing the Place of Bliss

Homage to Buddha Supreme King Nyagrodha

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Victory

Homage to Buddha King of Great Power, Wisdom, and Vigor

Homage to Buddha Dharma Bodhi

Homage to Buddha Accomplished Firm Canopy

Homage to Buddha Supreme Birth of Omniscience

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King Entering Supreme Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Supreme Skillful One Who Attains Sovereignty in All Worlds

Homage to Buddha Complete Concordant Victory

Homage to Buddha King of the Merit of Pure Discipline

Homage to Buddha Padma, Adorned with Scattered Garlands and Manifold Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Sole King

Homage to Buddha Great Comforter of Many People

Homage to Buddha Merit of the Two Supreme Voices

Homage to Buddha Perfect Firmness

Homage to Buddha Champion

Homage to Buddha Fire of the Precious Mani Pearl

Homage to Buddha Di Luu of the Great Ocean

Homage to Buddha Victorious King

Homage to Buddha Non-Abiding

Homage to Buddha Unfailing Merit

Homage to Buddha King First Far Removed from Defilement

Homage to Buddha Practice of Emptiness

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Renown

Homage to Buddha Mountain of Sound

Homage to Buddha Renowned for Arising from Inconceivable Samadhi

Homage to Buddha Brahma King of the Devas, Ketu

Homage to Buddha King Who Reveals Meaninglessness

Homage to Buddha King Guarding Against Defilement

Homage to Buddha Illuminating Merit

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Eye

Homage to Buddha Nature Accomplished in the Tranquility of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Accomplishment of Unobstructed Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Proclaimer of Definitive Meaning

Homage to Buddha Wondrously Renowned Adornment of the Dharma Lamp

Homage to Buddha Two Jewels Dharma Lamp

Homage to Buddha Great Treasury of Blazing Light

Homage to Buddha Self-Adorned Body upon the Lion

Homage to Buddha Adorned with the Causes and Conditions of the Jewel of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Eye of All Faculties, Pure Eye

Homage to Buddha Padma of Excellent Fragrance Following Fragrance

Homage to Buddha Dharma Moon

Homage to Buddha Vast Mind

Homage to Buddha Merit of Discipline

Homage to Buddha Constant Mirror

Homage to Buddha Renown in Accord with the Way

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Dharma

Homage to Buddha Wish-Fulfilling Adornment

Homage to Buddha Golden Treasury

Homage to Buddha Careful Inquiry

Homage to Buddha Firm Vow of the Four Wondrous Meanings

Homage to Buddha Wheel-Light of All Virtues

Homage to Buddha Wisdom-Light of the Dharma Roar

Homage to Buddha Light of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Boundless Adornment

Homage to Buddha Supreme Field of Merit

Homage to Buddha Adornment Skillfully Determining All Dharmas

The Buddha told Shariputra: “In the west there are immeasurable and boundless Buddhas such as these. You should wholeheartedly bow to them.” The Buddha then told Shariputra: “You should also sincerely bow to the Buddhas of the north.”

Homage to Buddha Supreme Treasury

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Treasury

Homage to Buddha King of the Boundless Flower Dragon, Eka Kusuma

Homage to Buddha Valiantly Subduing the Hosts of Mara

Homage to Buddha One Who Subdues All Maras

Homage to Buddha Image of the Dharma

Homage to Buddha Supreme Merit

Homage to Buddha Light of the Mountain Peak

Homage to Buddha Dharma King

Homage to Buddha Lamp Universally Revered

Homage to Buddha Supreme Earth

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing the Tathagata Family

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing the Family of All Jewels

Homage to Buddha Definitive Meaning of Dharani Phrases

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Patience

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing All Renown

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Turning of the Wisdom of the Three Times

Homage to Buddha Well-Abiding in the Merit of Supreme Refuge

Homage to Buddha Light of Many Mani Jewels

Homage to Buddha Supreme Merit

Homage to Buddha Supreme Merit of Buddhahood

Homage to Buddha Complete Realization Without Remainder

Homage to Buddha Attaining the Buddha Eye

Homage to Buddha Following the Buddhas of the Past

Homage to Buddha Accomplishment of Great Loving-Kindness and Supreme Compassion

Homage to Buddha Lion Wisdom Upholding the Dharma

Homage to Buddha King Abiding in the True Limit, Free of Beings

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing the Unattainability of the Dharma of One’s Own Family

Homage to Buddha Body Adorned with Great Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Renown of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Foremost in the Buddhadharma

Homage to Buddha Virtue of All Beings

Homage to Buddha Transcending All Dharma Gates

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Indra

Homage to Buddha Fulfilled Intention

Homage to Buddha Great Vaidurya

Homage to Buddha Light of Bodhi

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Light of Dharma Wisdom

Homage to Buddha King of Unfailing Sandalwood

Homage to Buddha Undefiled Padma Banner

Homage to Buddha King of the Voice of Dharma Wealth

Homage to Buddha Renowned for Skillful Discernment of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Wisdom-Garland Kalpa

Homage to Buddha Pundarika of the Pure Eye

Homage to Buddha Renown of Sovereign Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Severing Boundless Doubts

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Skillful Means for Beings

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Reflection, Boundless Awakening, and Vigor

Homage to Buddha Well-Abiding on the Ground of Dharma Practice

Homage to Buddha Universally Expanding the Realm of Beings

Homage to Buddha Firm-Minded Power Subduing All Maras

Homage to Buddha Deva King, Sovereign King of the Precious Casket

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Practice in Accordance with Reality

Homage to Buddha Moon-Vision Able to Give Rise to the Joy of All Beings

Homage to Buddha Great Advance and Awakened Advance

Homage to Buddha King of the Roar of Many Mani Voices

Homage to Buddha King Beyond Contemplation

Homage to Buddha Valiant and Irreversible Understanding

Homage to Buddha Body Adorned with Buddha Lands

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Voice of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Flower Banner of Fundamental Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Renowned for the Unobstructed Transformation Body

Homage to Buddha Mani Treasury of All Dragons

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Voice of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Knowledge and Vision of the Voice of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Sharira of Dharma Amrita

Homage to Buddha Boundless Treasury of Jewels, Merit, and Virtue

Homage to Buddha Practice of Pure Flowers

Homage to Buddha Supreme Flower of the Great Dharma King

Homage to Buddha Inexhaustible Treasury of All Exhaustion

Homage to Buddha Treasury of the Flower Mountain

Homage to Buddha Mountain of Wisdom and Emptiness

Homage to Buddha Indestructible Power of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed, Firm, and Compliant Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Treasury of the Boundless Great Ocean

Homage to Buddha King of Wisdom and Inexhaustible Renown

Homage to Buddha King of the Mind of Vigor

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Pure Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Dharma King of Sovereign Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Supreme Practice

Homage to Buddha Vajra Vision

Homage to Buddha Fragrant Vision Accordant with the Fulfillment of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Dragon Moon

Homage to Buddha Indra Assembly

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed King

Homage to Buddha King of the Precious Wheel of Indra

Homage to Buddha Able to Give Rise to the Reverent Praise of All Beings

Homage to Buddha King of the Great Majestic Wheel of Light

Homage to Buddha Able to Sever the Doubts of All Beings

Homage to Buddha Jewel of Wisdom, Vision of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Para

Homage to Buddha Stainless Crest

Homage to Buddha Emanating Light

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Mountain Power and Moon

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Mind

Homage to Buddha Firm and Fearless Leader

Homage to Buddha Firm and Valiant Jewel

Homage to Buddha King of the Firm Mind Well-Abiding

Homage to Buddha King Able to Destroy Darkness and Obscuration

Homage to Buddha Pundarika, Supreme Man

Homage to Buddha Treasury of a Hundred Sages

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Wondrous Lotuses

Homage to Buddha Seeing the Impartial Dharma Body

Homage to Buddha Moon of Beings

Homage to Buddha Lion Departed

Homage to Buddha Great Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Voice

Homage to Buddha Boundless Light

Homage to Buddha Beloved Vision

Homage to Buddha Great Leader

Homage to Buddha Supreme Leader

Homage to Buddha Joyful Voice

Homage to Buddha Seeing Reality

Homage to Buddha Pure Renown

Homage to Buddha Lion Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Voice of Virtue

Homage to Buddha Tu Lầu Tỳ Fragrance

Homage to Buddha Lightning Lamp

Homage to Buddha Padma Light

Homage to Buddha Great Light

Homage to Buddha Voice of Brahma

Homage to Buddha Free of Doubt

Homage to Buddha Boundless Worldly Power

Homage to Buddha Moon-Faced

Homage to Buddha Boundless Light

Homage to Buddha Beloved Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Dispeller of Doubt

Homage to Buddha Lamp of Merit

Homage to Buddha Unconcealed Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Boundless Treasury

Homage to Buddha King of the Vigor of Light

Homage to Buddha Vast Renown

Homage to Buddha Banner of Far Removal

Homage to Buddha Increasing Sanctity

Homage to Buddha Universal Vision

Homage to Buddha Invincible

Homage to Buddha Accumulation of Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Firm Gait

Homage to Buddha Ma Lâu Dư Renown

Homage to Buddha Boundless Form

Homage to Buddha Great Light

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Voice

Homage to Buddha Immovable Gait

Homage to Buddha Boundless Adornment

Homage to Buddha Great Purity

Homage to Buddha Light of the Accumulation of Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Abiding Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Golden Firmness

Homage to Buddha Beloved Liberation

Homage to Buddha Beloved Fearlessness

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Universal Contemplation

Homage to Buddha Great Practice

Homage to Buddha Subtle Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Revered by the Ten Directions

Homage to Buddha Reiterated Teaching

Homage to Buddha Supreme Light

Homage to Buddha Adornment of Light

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Vigor

Homage to Buddha Excellent Vision

Homage to Buddha Gait of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Moonlight

Homage to Buddha Renown of Merit

Homage to Buddha Departed Faculty

Homage to Buddha Pure Voice

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Wheel

Homage to Buddha Voice of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Revered by Beings

Homage to Buddha Wish-Fulfilling Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Boundless Form

Homage to Buddha Great Power

Homage to Buddha Joyful Adornment

Homage to Buddha Universally Illuminating Light

Homage to Buddha Virtue of Vigor

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Form

Homage to Buddha Pleasing the Mind

Homage to Buddha Precious Adornment

Homage to Buddha Lofty Light

Homage to Buddha Gait of Liberation

Homage to Buddha Ultimate Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Birth of Ketu

Homage to Buddha Immovable Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Mind of Practice

Homage to Buddha Subtle and Wondrous Form

Homage to Buddha True Form

Homage to Buddha Great Voice

Homage to Buddha Wholesome Reflection

Homage to Buddha Flower of Merit

Homage to Buddha Reflecting upon the World

Homage to Buddha Great Lofty Light

Homage to Buddha Incomparable Vigor

Homage to Buddha Pure Awakening

Homage to Buddha Honored Moon

Homage to Buddha Moon Lamp

Homage to Buddha Boundless Light

Homage to Buddha Many Suns

Homage to Buddha Celestial Citadel

Homage to Buddha Pure Mind

Homage to Buddha Padma Treasury

Homage to Buddha Constantly Discerning Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Voice

Homage to Buddha Boundless Radiance

Homage to Buddha Supreme Voice

Homage to Buddha Light of Wisdom Delightful to the Mind

Homage to Buddha Light of Merit

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Light

Homage to Buddha Body Adorned with Purity

Homage to Buddha Undefiled Meaning

Homage to Buddha Responsive Majestic Virtue

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing Meaning and Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Attaining the Great Voice

Homage to Buddha Voice of Vasudha

Homage to Buddha Uttara Light

Homage to Buddha Definitive Reflection

Homage to Buddha Tát Giá Bà Nâu

Homage to Buddha Light Illuminating Darkness

Homage to Buddha Majestic Virtue of Tỳ Phất Ba

Homage to Buddha Uttara Matra

Homage to Buddha Yasha Ketu

Homage to Buddha Pure Merit

Homage to Buddha Dharma Lamp

Homage to Buddha Supreme Merit

Homage to Buddha Tiên Hà Ba Đề, Beloved Face

Homage to Buddha Tâm Hà Bộ Khứ

Homage to Buddha Reflecting upon Beings

Homage to Buddha Wisdom of Sagara

Homage to Buddha Padma Treasury of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Canopied Sage

Homage to Buddha King of the Sala Tree

Homage to Buddha Light of Surya

Homage to Buddha Seat of Bodhi

Homage to Buddha Faculties at Peace

Homage to Buddha Ba Nâu Light

Homage to Buddha Pundarika Light

Homage to Buddha Di Luu Light

Homage to Buddha Chanda-Faced

Homage to Buddha Sa Lợi Trà Khứ

Homage to Buddha Eyes of All Directions

Homage to Buddha Light of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Thi La Ba Tán Na

Next, homage is paid to the twelve divisions of the revered sutras, the Dharma wheel of the Great Canon, and to the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions:

Homage to Bodhisattva Adorned with the Marks of Merit

Homage to Bodhisattva Brahma’s Net

Homage to Bodhisattva Precious Wealth

Homage to Bodhisattva Unconditioned Affinity

Homage to Bodhisattva Adorning the Land

Homage to Bodhisattva Youth Radiantly Adorned

Homage to Bodhisattva Upholder of the World

Homage to Bodhisattva Wholesome Virtue

Homage to Bodhisattva Difficult to Conquer

Homage to Bodhisattva Illumination

Homage to Bodhisattva Sadaprarudita

Homage to Bodhisattva Dharmodgata

Homage to Bodhisattva Sovereign in Dharma

Homage to Bodhisattva Foremost in Virtue

Homage to Bodhisattva Unyielding

Homage to Bodhisattva Crown of Virtue

Homage to Bodhisattva Wholesome Sufficiency

Homage to Bodhisattva Wondrous-Armed

Homage to Bodhisattva Pushya

Homage to Bodhisattva Pure Understanding

Homage to Bodhisattva Wholesome Mind

Homage to Bodhisattva Manifest Vision

Homage to Bodhisattva Universal Leader

Homage to Bodhisattva Joyful Vision

Homage to Bodhisattva Luminous Mark

Homage to Bodhisattva Imbued with Wisdom

Homage to Bodhisattva Unobstructed

Homage to Bodhisattva Supreme Goodness

Homage to Bodhisattva Field of Merit

Homage to Bodhisattva Treasury of Virtue

Homage to Bodhisattva Above the Moon

Homage to Bodhisattva King of the Jeweled Crown

Homage to Bodhisattva Delighting in Reality

Homage to Bodhisattva Wisdom Vision

Homage to Bodhisattva King of Lamps

Homage to Bodhisattva King of Profundity

Homage to Bodhisattva King of Flowers

Homage to Bodhisattva Wondrous Form

Homage to Bodhisattva Excellent Light

Homage to Bodhisattva Excellent Response

We take refuge for our lives and bow to the immeasurable and boundless great bodhisattvas throughout the worlds of the ten directions, and then pay homage to all shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, sages, and noble ones.

We disciples now reverently recite the words of the canonical sutras (4), as taught by the Buddha: To become a wealthy and noble person, a king, or an elder is the result of having created, in a previous life, the causes of bowing to and making offerings to the Three Jewels. To become a wealthy and eminent person results from giving in a previous life. To enjoy longevity results from creating the cause of refraining from killing in a previous life.

To become upright, dignified, and handsome results from cultivating patience in a previous life. To become diligent in cultivation results from not having been indolent in a previous life. To become talented and discerning, with broad understanding and far-reaching vision, results from having trained in wisdom in a previous life.

To possess a gentle voice results from having created the cause of chanting praises to the Three Jewels in a previous life. To become pure and free from illness results from practicing loving-kindness in a previous life. To possess a tall and well-formed body results from having respected those above and yielded to those below in a previous life.

To have a short, stunted, and lowly body results from having belittled others in a previous life. To have an ugly appearance results from habitual anger, resentment, and vexation in a previous life. To be ignorant and understand nothing results from failing to learn and inquire in a previous life.

To be foolish and dull results from having been unwilling to take pains to instruct others in a previous life. To be mute or stammering results from having often disparaged others in a previous life. To be lowly and ordered about by others results from owing others debts in a previous life and refusing to repay them.

To have dark and unattractive skin results from having obscured the Buddha’s radiant light in a previous life. To be born in a land where people go naked results from having worn flimsy garments in a previous life while considering oneself superior to others. To be born in the land of horse-hoofed people results from having worn shoes in a previous life, considered oneself superior, and contended to walk ahead of others.

To be born in the land of people with pierced chests results from having given alms and cultivated merit in a previous life, then regretted it and begrudged the gift. To be born among deer and other cervids results from having terrorized and frightened others in a previous life. To be born among dragons results from having delighted in jesting, leaping, and dancing in a previous life.

To be born human with a body prone to sores results from having beaten living beings in a previous life. To become a person whom everyone rejoices to see results from having rejoiced upon seeing others in a previous life. To become a person frequently arrested and imprisoned by officials results from having habitually confined birds and beasts in cages or vessels in a previous life.

Those who sit listening to the Dharma but engage in conversation and disturb the minds of others will in a later life fall among dogs with drooping ears. Those who sit listening to the Dharma but pay no attention and make no effort to understand will later fall among long-eared donkeys. Those who greedily eat alone and are stingy and miserly will later fall among hungry ghosts.

When that hungry-ghost existence ends, they will be reborn human, poor, destitute, hungry, and thirsty. Those who give others spoiled and inferior food will later become pigs, swine, or dung beetles. Those who habitually plunder the possessions of others will later fall into birth as goats, to be skinned and eaten.

Those who steal the money and property of others will later fall into birth as oxen or horses, to be commanded and beaten. Those who delight in false speech and proclaim the faults of others will later fall into hell, where demonic wardens pour molten copper into their mouths and draw out their tongues for oxen to plow. When that offense is exhausted, they will be born as mynas or owls.

Everyone hearing their cries will be afraid, regard them as demons, and curse them to die. Those who delight in becoming drunk will later fall into the Phất Sí Hell (5). When that offense is exhausted, they will be born among orangutans.

When the karma of an orangutan has ended, they will be born human but dull and deluded, disregarded by everyone. Those who greedily measure themselves against the strength of others will later be born among elephants. Alas!

Those occupying wealthy, noble, and superior positions who beat their subordinates leave the latter no one to whom they can appeal. Such people, after death, enter hell and undergo painful retribution for tens of millions of years. Emerging from hell, they fall again into birth as oxen, their noses and mouths pierced, made to tow boats and pull carts, and painfully beaten with great whips and staffs, thereby repaying their old debts and grievances.

Moreover, filthy people have been reborn from among pigs. Those who are avaricious and miserly and never examine themselves have been reborn from among dogs. Those who growl and keep everything for themselves have come from among goats.

Those of rash and fiery temper who possess little patience have been born from among monkeys and apes. Those whose bodies smell fishy have been reborn from among loaches. Those with treacherous minds and malicious speech have been reborn from among venomous snakes.

Those without loving and compassionate hearts, who are violent and cruel, have been reborn from among tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves…

Today, we disciples in this Dharma assembly have been born as human beings in a world afflicted by many illnesses, sufferings, premature deaths, and innumerable pains difficult to recount. Because these arise from the three kinds of karma, practitioners are made to receive retribution in the three evil paths. We sincerely bow to the Buddhas of the ten directions:

Homage to Buddha Wheel of Light in the East

Homage to Buddha Unfolding Radiance in the South

Homage to Buddha Accumulation of Wisdom in the West

Homage to Buddha Great Vaidurya in the North

Homage to Buddha Joyful Garden, Flower in Hand, in the Southeast

Homage to Buddha Harmonious Union of Wisdom in the Southwest

Homage to Buddha Most Honored, Unsurpassed Victory, in the Northwest

Homage to Buddha Pure and Stainless Eye in the Northeast

Homage to Buddha Perfect Radiance Below

Homage to Buddha Supremely Pure Immeasurable Banner Above

Having paid homage to the Buddhas of the ten directions, we disciples now acknowledge that from beginningless time until today, evil and unwholesome things have caused our bodies and minds continually to undergo endless suffering. When death approaches, our souls wander forlorn. We alone must endure what we ourselves have done; parents, spouses, and children cannot save us.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, we arrive before King Yama (6). The ox-headed wardens of hell take no account of high or low. They examine only the registers of offenses and merits, assessing their gravity or lightness and the abundance or scarcity of good and evil.

Whatever deeds were performed during life, the consciousness itself confesses without daring to conceal them. Because of these causes and conditions, one must follow one’s karma and receive its retribution. Whether one reaches a place of suffering or joy depends on one’s own deeds, and one must undergo it oneself.

Lost in darkness, beings are separated for a long time; their paths diverge, and it is difficult for them to meet again. Furthermore, the deities who record each person’s good and evil omit not the slightest detail. Those who do good gain merit and increased longevity; those who do evil lose years and gain suffering.

Revolving in this way, they return as hungry ghosts; when their hungry-ghost existence ends, they become animals. Their offenses and suffering are immeasurable, difficult to describe, and could never be exhausted by speaking. Today, all of us disciples in this Dharma assembly must awaken ourselves and give rise to shame and remorse.

The Buddhist sutras teach: “Those who do good encounter good; those who create evil receive evil retribution.” Yet in this evil age of the five defilements (7), we dare not do evil. Cultivating goodness never loses its wholesome fruit, while doing evil brings calamity upon oneself. The sutras teach: “Do not disdain a small good as though it brought no merit.

Though drops of water are small, accumulating over time they fill a great vessel.” Without accumulating small good deeds, how could one possess the great merit needed to become a sage or a Buddha? Do not dismiss a small evil by saying that it bears no offense. Small evils accumulated over time are sufficient to destroy one’s life.

The assembly should understand: good and evil, calamity and blessing, are all created by the mind. Without creating a cause, no result can arise. When misfortune accumulates, the offense becomes enormous.

With our fleshly eyes, we find it difficult to see clearly. Who would dare disbelieve what the Buddha has taught? We have together been born in the final age.

If we do not cultivate diligently and do good through our own efforts, then when our final breath ceases, regret will be too late. Nevertheless, we now recognize all our offenses, just as the Buddha taught in the sutras. Having acknowledged one’s own offenses, how could one fail to abandon evil and follow goodness?

If in this life we do not apply our minds, relinquish attachment to the body, and seek the Way, we will certainly fall into hell. How do we know this? When committing offenses, we harbor malicious, fierce, bitter, harsh, and deeply rooted intentions.

If angry with someone, we wish that person dead. If we hate someone, we cannot bear to see anything good befall that person. If we disparage someone, we are determined that person should fall into misery.

If we strike someone, we are determined to cause such pain that the person sees heaven and earth spin. When angry, savage, and harmful, we take no account of high or low, but use shameful words and every kind of abuse. At times we roar like thunder, our eyes blazing like fire.

Yet when cultivating merit, our wholesome minds are exceedingly weak. At first we intend to do much, but later gradually reduce it. At first we wish to carry the endeavor out quickly, but later relax and let it drift.

Because our resolve is not firm, days and months pass as we waver back and forth until the wholesome deed is finally forgotten. Examining this, it is evident that when creating offenses, the power of our minds is fierce and strong, but when cultivating merit, our resolve is feeble and weak. With such feeble causes of merit created now, it is impossible to seek escape from the powerful evil retributions described above.

The Buddhist sutras teach: “Through repentance, every offense can be extinguished.” Yet alas! When repenting, one must resolutely cast the five limbs (8) to the ground like Mount Tai collapsing, sparing neither body nor life; only then may one hope to end one’s offenses. To end our offenses, we must diligently and reverently examine ourselves together, from the time of our birth until today, considering the unknowable number of offenses we have committed.

Only by scrutinizing and reproaching ourselves in this way can we spare neither body nor life, endure hardship, and repent. If, after briefly bowing to the Buddha, we immediately become weary and discouraged; if, after bowing for a short while, we say our strength cannot bear it; if, after sitting upright in pure mindfulness for only a short time, we say that some sign of realization should already have appeared; or if we say that the body should not be made too weary, that it must be nourished and should not be made to suffer—then, as soon as we lie down, we fall into a stupor like death, never remembering that we ought to bow to the Buddha, sweep stupas and monasteries, and perform difficult deeds.

The sutras clearly teach: “Not even the slightest goodness has ever arisen from indolence; not even the smallest merit has ever been gained through arrogance, self-indulgence, and complacency.” Although we disciples have now obtained human bodies, our minds continually run contrary to the Way. How do we know this? From morning until noon, noon until evening, evening until night, and night until morning, there is not even one hour, one moment, one thought, or one instant in which we set our minds upon recollecting the Three Jewels or contemplating the truth of the Four Noble Truths (9).

Nor do we have a single thought of repaying the kindness of our parents, or the least thought of repaying the kindness of our teachers and elders. We do not have the slightest wish to practice giving, uphold the precepts, cultivate patience, or apply vigor. We do not have the slightest wish to learn meditative concentration or practice wisdom.

If today we examine our pure and wholesome qualities, we do not possess even one Dharma worthy of mention. Conversely, our heavy afflictions and obstructions are beyond counting, filling our ears and eyes. If we did not examine ourselves in this way, we would even boast that our merits were not few.

If we performed some small good deed, we would say: “I can do this, but others cannot. I cultivate regularly, but others do not.” Arrogant and proud, we would regard no one as our equal. Examining ourselves carefully, we truly ought to be ashamed.

Before the Buddhas, we disciples now repent of our offenses and pray that they will joyfully extend loving compassion to us, so that in the future we may be free of obstruction. We shall strive to cleanse our bodies and minds. Having set forth karmic retribution as described above, we cannot excuse ourselves and fail to seek release from our offenses.

How would we dare say that we have none of these offenses, that we are innocent and therefore need not repent? If anyone thinks in this way, may that person immediately abandon such a thought. Have not countless subtle faults combined to form enormous offenses?

When anger suddenly arises, resentment immediately follows. Once this becomes habitual, it is difficult to change quickly. We cannot indulge ourselves and let our minds run loose without vigilance.

If we can patiently endure, our afflictions can be eliminated. Those who are indolent and heedless are difficult to deliver (10).

Notes:

1. Three evil paths: Trois mauvaises voies (F). The three unfortunate destinations, the three paths of evil affliction: the path of hungry ghosts, the path into hell, and the path leading to animal birth. They are also called the three evil destinies or the three painful paths. Those whose dispositions, speech, and deeds are evil while human, and who commit the ten evils, enter the three evil paths after death.

2. Spiritual powers and the divine eye: Explained in Volume Fifteen, note 11, page 341 (Book II).

3. Cultivating the ten wholesome acts: Dix actes méritoires (F). The ten good deeds. Also called the ten wholesome karmas, the ten wholesome precepts, or the ten wholesome Dharmas. Buddhist laypeople and monastics alike must guard their bodies, speech, and minds from committing the ten evil deeds: 1/ Killing, 2/ Stealing, 3/ Sexual misconduct. These are the three bodily karmas. 4/ False speech, 5/ Frivolous speech, 6/ Divisive speech, 7/ Harsh speech. These are the four verbal karmas. 8/ Greed, 9/ Anger, and 10/ Delusion. These are the three mental karmas.

4. Canonical sutra: Sutras (S), abbreviated as “sutra.” It is also read according to its Sanskrit sound as Sutra. These are all the canonical sutras taught by the Buddha. The Venerable Ananda remembered them all; whenever he heard them, he accepted them with faith and never doubted. Thus, after the Buddha entered nirvana, the Sangha appointed Ananda to ascend the Dharma seat and recite the canonical sutras again.

5. Phất Sí Hell: A hell of excrement where, throughout their time there, offenders are cast in and punished, with no knowing when it will end.

6. King Yama: Yama (S). The king of the underworld, ruler of the realm of death, who impartially judges the spirits that committed offenses in the human world.

7. Evil age of the five defilements: Cinq impuretés (F). The five impurities of this Saha world: the defilement of the kalpa, the defilement of views, the defilement of afflictions, the defilement of beings, and the defilement of lifespan. Shakyamuni Buddha often called this Saha world an afflicted evil realm filled with the five defilements: the defilement of the kalpa, the defilement of views, the defilement of deluded desires, the defilement of beings, and the defilement of lifespan. Yet because of the power of his vows and his compassion, he did not shrink from this afflicted evil realm or its five defilements, but descended to be born here and teach beings. In particular, he taught them about the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha so that they might vow to be born there.

8. Casting the five limbs to the ground: Explained in Volume Nineteen, note 27, page 609 (Book II).

9. The truth of the Four Noble Truths: Aryasatyani (S); Aryasacca (P). Quatre vérités excellentes (F). The four wondrous truths, also called the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering (duhkha-aryasatya, douleur); the truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya, origine de la douleur); the truth of cessation (nirodha, destruction de la douleur); and the truth of the path (marga, voie conduisant à la suppression des douleurs).

10. Deliverance: To rescue and ferry across. The Buddhas and bodhisattvas use the teachings and various skillful means to deliver beings, bringing them from the shore of delusion to the shore of awakening, and from the ocean of suffering to the haven of peace and bliss:

Even the compassionate raft of deliverance is perilous;

Without it, what else but to sink into the river of delusion!

Quan Âm Thị Kính.