佛說佛名經

Today, we disciples all diligently cultivate so as not to let time pass in vain. If we are negligent and heedless, our minds’ ascent toward the Way will be delayed; therefore, we must willingly endure hardship and advance courageously. The Sutra teaches: “Compassion is the site of enlightenment, because it requires patient endurance of suffering.

If one arouses the resolve to practice in accordance with this site of enlightenment, all endeavors will be accomplished.” Thus it should be known that the adornment of all wholesome deeds depends upon diligence and perseverance, just as one who wishes to cross the great ocean must rely upon the vessel of compassion. If one desires happiness but does not perform deeds that cause happiness, one certainly cannot obtain a joyful result.

This is like a person who has exhausted his provisions yet merely dreams of exquisite delicacies: how could such empty imaginings relieve hunger and thirst? To attain a sublime and wondrous fruit, principle and practice must proceed together; neither may be lacking. Together we arouse the supreme resolve, harboring shame and remorse as we repent, extinguish offenses, and dissolve all enmities.

If, instead, we remain deluded and follow our old habits, we know not when we shall awaken. If everyone else attains liberation while we still sink in samsara, regret will come too late. We disciples, single-minded and utterly sincere, bow in homage to all Buddhas of the three times:

The Tathagata is replete with every virtue,

The four fearlessnesses and a heart of great compassion,

The eighteen unique qualities and six superknowledges,

The thirty-seven factors and three liberations.

His merit and wisdom are wholly perfected;

Doing what is difficult, he vanquishes Mara’s hosts.

With eighty excellent characteristics he gathers sentient beings,

And with the water of wisdom bathes their minds, bringing great awakening.

I vow that henceforth I shall follow the Buddha Way,

Learn the Buddha’s wisdom, and realize the Buddha-body;

Then, through compassionate vows, deliver sentient beings,

And ever serve the world as a Dharma King.

For beings, the Tathagata cultivated supreme practices,

Perfecting sovereign and awesome spiritual powers.

How could he one day relinquish his recompense-body

And abide in nirvana, the ocean of quiescent cessation?

Sentient beings have not exhausted the three evil destinies;

Their oppressive sufferings are worthy of compassion.

We humbly beseech the Greatly Compassionate, Great Dharma King

To grant protection and deliverance in this very life.

I vow that henceforth, throughout immeasurable kalpas,

I shall always request the Tathagata to turn the Dharma wheel,

Assist the Buddha in teaching and delivering the deluded multitudes,

And never cease while any sentient being remains.

After entering quiescent cessation, the Tathagata left his teaching:

The wondrous scripture of the Great Nirvana.

The Buddha-nature of sentient beings is originally perfect and luminous;

The Three Jewels abide forever and never change.

The vajra treasury is precious and undefiled,

Its profound meaning the king among Dharmas.

Only after making offerings to Tathagatas for many kalpas

Can one gain faith upon hearing even a single verse.

I vow henceforth continually to hear the Dharma,

And always illuminate the mind’s source with the wondrous Dharma;

To receive, uphold, copy, and widely propagate it,

Filling with Dharma-flavor all beings who thirst for it.

The Tathagata, compassionate father of the three realms,

Passed through immeasurable koṭis of kalpas to attain bodhi.

He did so solely for sentient beings, never for himself,

Always wishing that sentient beings might attain peace and happiness.

We ordinary beings are burdened with many offenses and defilements;

We did not encounter the Tathagata when he appeared in the world.

Drifting upon the great ocean of birth and death,

We are destitute, solitary, and without protection.

I vow henceforth to rely upon the Buddha’s power,

And for many kalpas remain close to the Great King of Physicians;

To sever afflictions and realize the unborn,

Ever drinking the milk of the Tathagata’s great compassion.

Throughout many kalpas the Tathagata perfected compassion and wisdom,

Ever dwelling in the ocean of suffering to deliver the multitudes.

Through the working of his great mind he realized bodhi,

Then returned tirelessly to the dusty world.

We sentient beings are bereft of meritorious power,

Causing the Tathagata swiftly to enter nirvana.

Alas, what suffering—the sun has set,

And the ocean of suffering lies dim in profound darkness.

I vow henceforth to cultivate merit and wisdom,

Always creating future causes for beholding the Buddha;

For the Buddha’s compassion for sentient beings is ultimate,

And, taking pity on the world, he perpetuates the Three Jewels.

The honored Tathagata transcends the three realms;

His radiant light universally illuminates boundless nature.

We sentient beings have deep defilements and obstructions;

We yearn for the Tathagata but cannot behold him.

Our incense, flowers, food, and drink are impure,

And through disrespect we have slighted the Tathagata who descended to the site of enlightenment.

We humbly beseech the Compassionate Great Dharma King

To permit us to make offerings and return to the pure realm.

We, with utmost sincerity, wholeheartedly bow in reverence…

Homage to Buddha Universal Radiant Light

Homage to Buddha King of the Ocean of Abundant Jewels of Merit

Homage to Buddha Unfailing Merit

Homage to Buddha Illuminating All Places

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Drum-Sound

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Dharma

Homage to Buddha Universally Seeing

Homage to Buddha Great Mass of Flames

Homage to Buddha Banner of Radiance

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Ketu

Homage to Buddha Sala Womb

Homage to Buddha Jewel Śikhin

Homage to Buddha Padma Treasury

Homage to Buddha All-Victorious

Homage to Buddha Sagara

Homage to Buddha Assembly of the Padma Ocean

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King Sala

Homage to Buddha Pure Flower

Homage to Buddha Proclaimed Victory

Homage to Buddha Seeing Reality

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Meru

Homage to Buddha Dragon Virtue

Homage to Buddha Supreme Conduct

Homage to Buddha Constellation

Homage to Buddha Great Adornment

Homage to Buddha King of Radiance

Homage to Buddha Able and Benevolent

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King

Homage to Buddha Sun-Face

Homage to Buddha Wholesome Intention

Homage to Buddha Dragon Victory

Homage to Buddha Puṣya

Homage to Buddha Medicine Master King

Homage to Buddha Lion Mountain

Homage to Buddha Upholding Supreme Merit

Homage to Buddha Drinking Amrita

Homage to Buddha Emitting Flames

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Mountain

Homage to Buddha Protector of the World’s Offerings

Homage to Buddha Gagara Śikhin

Homage to Buddha Difficult to Vanquish

Homage to Buddha Great Lamp

Homage to Buddha Supreme Padma

Homage to Buddha Dharma Banner

Homage to Buddha Able to Kindle the Lamp

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Difficult to Vanquish

Homage to Buddha Difficult to Conceive

Homage to Buddha True Sound

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Sound

Homage to Buddha Sala Division

Homage to Buddha Jewel Flame

Homage to Buddha Beloved to Behold

Homage to Buddha Sumeru Kalpa

Homage to Buddha Sandalwood Light

Homage to Buddha Sunlight

Homage to Buddha Supreme Medicine Tree

Homage to Buddha Pure Awakening

Homage to Buddha Prophecy

Homage to Buddha Creating Affection

Homage to Buddha Bestowing Fearlessness

Homage to Buddha Padma Jewel-Fragrance

Homage to Buddha Supreme Virtue

Homage to Buddha Stainless

Homage to Buddha Pure Illumination

Homage to Buddha Free from Afflictions

Homage to Buddha Well-Come

Homage to Buddha Wholesome Light

Homage to Buddha Golden-Colored

Homage to Buddha Able to Produce Radiance

Homage to Buddha Purity

Homage to Buddha Attaining Liberation

Homage to Buddha Kalaviṅka Sound

Homage to Buddha Able to Preserve the Dharma

Homage to Buddha Skillfully Guarding All Gates

Homage to Buddha Fulfilling the Intention

Homage to Buddha Free from Attachment

Homage to Buddha Unborn Jewel

Homage to Buddha Skillfully Guarding All Faculties

Homage to Buddha Brahma Sound

Homage to Buddha Supreme Sound

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Sound

Homage to Buddha Great Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Free from All Turbidities

Homage to Buddha Immovable

Homage to Buddha Delighting in Liberation

Homage to Buddha Supreme Among Two-Footed Beings

Homage to Buddha Adorned with the Perfection of All Merits

Homage to Buddha Adorned with Excellent Marks

Homage to Buddha Kumuda Speech

Homage to Buddha Speech That Cannot Be Subdued

Homage to Buddha Ever-Responsive Speech

Homage to Buddha Brahma Sound Bringing Peace to Sentient Beings

Homage to Buddha Sala Flower

Homage to Buddha Golden-Branch Flower

Homage to Buddha Kumuda Mark

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Crown

Homage to Buddha Great Muni

Homage to Buddha Reaching the Far Shore of All Dharmas

Homage to Buddha Undefiled

Homage to Buddha Undistracted Mind

Homage to Buddha Hạ Tra Già Color

Homage to Buddha Accomplishment of Wholesome Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Dư Đầu La Bộ

Homage to Buddha Pure Hand

Homage to Buddha Ever-Coming

Homage to Buddha Ultimate Accomplishment of Great Compassion

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing Firmness

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing Constant Practice

Homage to Buddha Free from the Turbidity of Strife

Homage to Buddha Pure Mark of Merit

Homage to Buddha Bất Khấp Mâu Ni La

Homage to Buddha Supreme Treasury

Homage to Buddha Prajnaparamita’s Limit

Homage to Buddha Ultimate Jewel of Prajnaparamita

Homage to Buddha Fulfilled Intention

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of the World

Homage to Buddha Immeasurable Life

Homage to Buddha Great Mass of Flames

Homage to Buddha Boundless Jewel

Homage to Buddha Pure Supreme Deva

Homage to Buddha Pure Within and Without

Homage to Buddha Faculties at Peace

Homage to Buddha Supreme Lamp

Homage to Buddha Sala King Accomplishing Inconceivable Vows

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Intention

Homage to Buddha Power of Subjugation

Homage to Buddha Upholding Swift Practice

Homage to Buddha King Who Emits Radiance

Homage to Buddha Tỳ Đầu Khê Roar

Homage to Buddha Dharma King Awakened Without Conceptualization

Homage to Buddha Body Adorned with a Buddha-Land

Homage to Buddha Flower-Banner of Fundamental Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Transformation Proclaimed

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Maṇi of Every Color

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Dharma Treasury

Homage to Buddha Dharma Offering Bà Bà La

Homage to Buddha Treasury of Boundless Jewel-Merit

Homage to Buddha Sound of the Pure Flower

Homage to Buddha Great Dharma King, Supreme Kusuma

Homage to Buddha Treasury of All Inexhaustibility

Homage to Buddha Mountain-Treasury of Merit

Homage to Buddha Mountain-Treasury of Constellations

Homage to Buddha Mountain of Space-Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Deva King of Wisdom-Power

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Ocean of Conforming Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Treasury of the Boundless Ocean of Awakening

Homage to Buddha Wisdom King of Inexhaustible Renown

Homage to Buddha King of Vigorous Mind and Intention

Homage to Buddha Self-Purifying Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Dharma King Sovereign in Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Departing through Distinctions

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Vision

Homage to Buddha Conforming Fragrant Vision, Dharma Fulfilled

Homage to Buddha Dragon Moon

Homage to Buddha Indrapāla Unobstructed King

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Ketu

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Lamp

Homage to Buddha Great Radiant Illumination

Homage to Buddha Invincible

Homage to Buddha Illuminating the Mirror

Homage to Buddha Silver Ketu Banner-Canopy

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Awesome Virtue

Homage to Buddha King of Awakening

Homage to Buddha Jewel Treasury

Homage to Buddha Great Sagara

Homage to Buddha Distinctions of the Ten Directions

Homage to Buddha Subduing Mara

Homage to Buddha Subduing Greed

Homage to Buddha Subduing Anger

Homage to Buddha Subduing Delusion

Homage to Buddha Subduing Arrogance

Homage to Buddha Subduing the Defilement of Hatred

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Purity of Dharma

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Supreme Karma

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Wish-Fulfilling Purity

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Initiating Giving

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Pure Precepts

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Accomplishing Patience

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Initiating Diligence

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Initiating Meditation

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Initiating Prajnaparamita

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Giving

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Precepts

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Patience

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Diligence

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Meditative Concentration

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Accomplishment of Prajnaparamita

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Accomplished Practice

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Pure Accomplishment of Dharani

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Purity of the Form-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Purity of the Giving-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Sovereignty in Emptiness and Non-Self

Homage to Buddha Gaining a Name through Sovereignty in the Practice of Emptiness

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Eye-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Ear-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Nose-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Tongue-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Body-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Mind-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Form-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Sound-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Fragrance-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Taste-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Dharma-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Contact-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Earth-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Water-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Fire-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Wind-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Suffering

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Origin of Suffering

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Cessation

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Path

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Skandhas

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Dhatus

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Ayatanas

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Three Times

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Flower-Dharani

Homage to Buddha Auspicious Radiance

Homage to Buddha Fragrant Lamp-Robe, Sovereign Radiance

Homage to Buddha Dharma Banner

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Sound

Homage to Buddha Illuminating Treasury

Homage to Buddha Dharma-Luminous Universal Body

Homage to Buddha All-Penetrating Light

Homage to Buddha Moon-Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Wondrous Victory

Homage to Buddha Noble Victory

Homage to Buddha Universally Fulfilled

Homage to Buddha Samantabhadra

Homage to Buddha King Narayana

Homage to Buddha Accomplishing Every Meaning

Homage to Buddha Upholding Awesome Virtue

Homage to Buddha Crown of Fearlessness

Homage to the Immeasurable and Boundless Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future, and Others Such as These

Homage to Ten Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Fulfilled

Homage to Thirty Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Able Sage

Homage to Two Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Kauṇḍinya

Homage to One Billion Eight Hundred Million Buddhas Alike Named True Essence and Dharma Pattern

Homage to One Billion Eight Hundred Million Buddhas Alike Named Sun-Moon Lamp

Homage to One Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas Alike Named Great Awesome Virtue

Homage to Fifteen Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Joy

Homage to Eighty-Four Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Dragon King

Homage to Fifteen Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Sun

Homage to Eighteen Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Sala King

Homage to Eighteen Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Indra Banner

Homage to Eight Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Wholesome Light

Homage to Eight Hundred Buddhas Alike Named Quiescent Cessation

Homage to Three Billion Six Hundred and One Million Nine Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas Alike Named Pure King

The names of the Buddhas above are difficult to hear even in hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas, just as it is difficult to encounter an Udumbara flower (1). Whoever receives, upholds, reads, and recites the names of these Buddhas will ultimately leave behind all karma and afflictions. Śāriputra! You should wholeheartedly revere and bow in homage to Tathagata Supreme Padma.

Homage to Buddha King of Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Maker of Lamps

Homage to Buddha Celestial Light

Homage to Buddha Mountain of Virtue

Homage to Buddha Supremely Exalted

Homage to Buddha Sala King

Homage to Buddha Pure King

Homage to Buddha Great Measure of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Sumeru

Homage to Buddha Sumeru of Great Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Maker of Jewels

Homage to Buddha Jewel Treasury

Homage to Buddha Shattering Vajra

Homage to Buddha Noble-Wisdom Immovable

Homage to Buddha Universal Fragrance

Homage to Buddha Life of Amrita

Homage to Buddha Difficult to Vanquish

Homage to Buddha Moonlight

Homage to Buddha Sun Illumination

Homage to Buddha Wisdom Ketu

Homage to Buddha Great Lion

Homage to Buddha Meru Mountain

Homage to Buddha Fragrant Light

Homage to Buddha Mountain of Virtue

Homage to Buddha Great Penetration

Homage to Buddha Amala Treasury

Homage to Buddha Jewel Enclosure

Homage to Buddha Vajra Treasury

Homage to Buddha Utpala Treasury

Homage to Buddha Great Sun

Homage to Buddha Kiều Lương Treasury

Homage to Buddha Moon Victory

Homage to Buddha Delighting in Firmness

Homage to Buddha Inconceivable Dharma-Body

Homage to Buddha Supreme Treasury

Homage to Buddha Unfailing King

Homage to Buddha Unobstructed Vajra Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Jewel Flame

Homage to Buddha Lamp of Generous Giving

Homage to Buddha Subduing All Enemies

Homage to Buddha Sovereign

Homage to Buddha True Sound of Great Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Prajnaparamita Fragrant Elephant

Homage to Buddha Deva King

Śāriputra! If any good man or good woman hears the names of the Buddhas above, receives, upholds, reads, and recites them without giving rise to doubt, that person, throughout eight hundred billion kalpas, will not enter hell, become an animal, dwell in the realm of hungry ghosts, or be born in a borderland (2); will not be reborn in a destitute or lowly household, but will always be born into a noble family among humans or devas; will always experience joy and delight without obstruction; and will always be honored and supported with offerings by everyone in the world, until attaining the Way of Nirvana. Śāriputra! You should:

Homage to Buddha Body That Cannot Be Humbled

Homage to Buddha Praised Sound

Homage to Buddha Praised Awesome Virtue

Homage to Buddha Praised Name

Homage to Buddha Diệp Đà

Homage to Buddha Flaming Sound

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Vajra Samadhi

Homage to Buddha Courageous Division of Sound

Homage to Buddha Supreme Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Wisdom of Good Understanding

Homage to Buddha Accumulation of Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Courageous Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Supreme Brahma

Homage to Buddha Pure Vasu

Homage to Buddha Pure Mind

Homage to Buddha Pure Deva

Homage to Buddha Pure Sound

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Brahma

Homage to Buddha Awesome Virtue

Homage to Buddha Supreme Vimala

Homage to Buddha Vimala Intention

Homage to Buddha Vimala Face

Homage to Buddha Exalted Vimala

Homage to Buddha Ever Mindful of the Suffering of All Sentient Beings

Homage to Buddha Boundless Sound

Homage to Buddha Seeing Reality

Homage to Buddha Moon of Wholesome Eyes

Homage to Buddha Profound Sound

Homage to Buddha Emitting Sound

Homage to Buddha Sound Terrifying the Power of Mara

Homage to Buddha Pure Eyes

Homage to Buddha Boundless Eyes

Homage to Buddha Universal Eyes

Homage to Buddha Supreme Eyes

Homage to Buddha Impassable

Homage to Buddha Supreme Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Mind of Wholesome Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Faculties of Wholesome Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Intention of Wholesome Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Virtue of Wholesome Quiescence

Homage to Buddha Well-Abiding

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Assemblies

Homage to Buddha Sovereign over the Great Assembly

Homage to Buddha Liberation of Assemblies

Homage to Buddha Dharma Banner

Homage to Buddha Dharma Mountain

Homage to Buddha Dharma Victory

Homage to Buddha Dharma-Essence

Homage to Buddha Dharma-Power

Homage to Buddha Courageous in Dharma

Homage to Buddha Definitive Dharma-Essence

Homage to Eight Billion Buddhas in the Second Kalpa Alike Named Definitive Dharma-Essence

Śāriputra! If any good man or good woman receives, upholds, reads, and recites the names of the Buddhas stated above, that person will ultimately never enter hell and will swiftly attain right concentration. Śāriputra! Immeasurable, boundless, incalculable kalpas after those names, there was a Buddha named Sound Sovereign among Humans.

You should single-mindedly revere him. That Buddha Sound Sovereign among Humans had a lifespan of seventy thousand myriad kalpas. At his first assembly were three hundred million śrāvakas, together with eighty nayutas of thousands of myriads of bodhisattvas.

They all possessed superknowledges, were endowed with the four unobstructed knowledges, penetrated all principles of emptiness, and reached the far shore. Even if I were to abide for immeasurable kalpas describing the adornments of that Buddha’s land and his great assembly, what I could say would be only like a single drop of water in the great ocean.

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Samadhi Concentration

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in Wisdom-Concentration

Homage to Buddha Sovereign in the Marks of Awakening

Homage to Buddha Universally Gathering

Homage to Buddha Universal Light of Jewel-Virtue

Homage to Buddha Great Kalakucchanda

Homage to Buddha Delightful Intention and Beautiful Sound

Homage to Buddha Joy

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Voice

Homage to Buddha Lion’s Mark

Homage to Buddha Sovereign Cloud

Homage to Buddha Ever-Cessant

Homage to Buddha Mark of Śakra

Homage to Buddha Mark of Brahma

Homage to Buddha Amitabha

Homage to Buddha Delivering the Suffering and Affliction of the Entire World

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Clouds

Homage to Buddha Destroying All Fear in the World

Homage to Ten Billion Buddhas Who Are Myself, Shakyamuni

Homage to Buddha Maitreya

Homage to Buddha Pure Body

Homage to Buddha Flower Light

Homage to Buddha Flower Feet

Homage to Buddha Radiance

Homage to Buddha Name and Mark

Homage to Buddha Jambunada Golden Light

Homage to Buddha Dharma Light

Homage to Buddha Jewel Light

Homage to Buddha Universal Light

Homage to Buddha Universal Marks

Homage to Buddha Marks of Light

Homage to Buddha Universal Radiance

Homage to Buddha Mountain-Ocean Wisdom

Homage to Buddha Sovereign King of Superknowledges

Homage to Buddha Jewel Adornment

Homage to Buddha Puṣya

Homage to Ten Billion Buddhas, Sovereign Kings of Lamps

Homage to Buddha Joyful to Behold

Homage to Twenty Thousand Buddhas, Kings Adorned with Marks of Light

Homage to Thirty Thousand Buddhas Alike Named Wholesome Virtue

Homage to Buddha King of Thunderous Jewel-Sound

Homage to Forty-Eight Thousand Buddhas of Fixed Light

Homage to Buddha King of the Jewel Moon

Homage to Buddha Stainless Light

Homage to Buddha Radiance of Wondrous Form

Homage to Buddha Destroying All Calamities of Beings

Homage to Buddha Myriad Fragrances

Homage to Buddha Myriad Adornments

Homage to Ten Thousand Buddhas of Adorned Radiance

Homage to Buddha Adorned with Jewel Flowers

Homage to Buddha Foremost King of Virtue

Homage to Buddha Purple-Gold Radiance

Homage to Five Hundred Buddhas, Flower Light of Prophecy

Homage to Buddha Indestructible Narayana

Homage to Buddha Adorned with Fire-Flowers

Next, homage is paid to the twelve divisions of the revered scriptures and the Dharma wheel of the Great Canon; homage is paid to the great bodhisattvas of the ten directions, the śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and all sages and saints. Śāriputra! If any good man, good woman, bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika can receive, uphold, read, recite, and bow in homage to the names of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, that person will never fall into an evil destiny.

If born among humans or devas, that person will always encounter Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and good spiritual friends, will leave all afflictions far behind, and will ultimately attain great bodhi (3). When the Buddha had spoken this sutra, the venerable Śāriputra and the bhikshu Mahanama, together with the bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas, upasikas, devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans (4), and great bodhisattvas all rejoiced exceedingly, faithfully accepted the teaching, and practiced it.

Having paid homage to the Three Jewels, we again repent. We disciples have repented of the painful retributions in the three evil destinies; now we bow our heads and repent of the residual retributions in the human and heavenly realms. Regarding the lifespans of beings upon this southern continent of Jambudvipa, although it is said that people live for one hundred years, how many actually do so?

Many others die prematurely. Moreover, body and mind are oppressed by suffering, grief, distress, and fear, never enjoying even a moment’s respite. Our wholesome roots are thus too weak and our evil karma too powerful.

Therefore, even though we presently wish to advance, nothing accords with our wishes. We should know that these are residual retributions brought forth by evil karma from the past. Therefore, we disciples now sincerely bow to the Buddhas of the ten directions:

Homage to Buddha Great Adornment in the East

Homage to Buddha Fire of Wisdom in the South

Homage to Buddha Supreme Fragrance of Wisdom in the West

Homage to Buddha King of Wisdom-Power in the North

Homage to Buddha Supreme Karma of Narayana in the Southeast

Homage to Buddha Võ Ngu Lạc in the Southwest

Homage to Buddha Universally Proclaimed Dharma of Śakra in the Northwest

Homage to Buddha Practice of the Three Vehicles in the Northeast

Homage to Buddha Great Penetrating Wisdom Victory Below

Homage to Buddha King of Lightning-Lamp Wind Above

Having bowed to the Buddhas of the ten directions, we disciples acknowledge that our accumulated offenses and obstructions are deeper and more massive than the earth. Our mind-nature is obscured by ignorance. Throughout the dark and endless night, we have continually followed the three poisons and created causes of enmity, deludedly sinking in the three realms and never escaping.

Today, through the compassionate measure of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, we have at last gained hope of awakening. With shame and remorse arising in our hearts, we sincerely beseech them and openly confess and repent. We pray that the Buddhas and bodhisattvas compassionately gather us in and, through the power of great wisdom, the power of inconceivability, the power of immeasurable sovereignty, the power to subdue the four Maras (5), the power to extinguish all afflictions, the power to resolve all bonds of enmity, the power to deliver sentient beings, the power to bring sentient beings peace, the power to release those in hell, the power to save hungry ghosts, the power to rescue animals, the power to gather and transform asuras, the power to gather in humankind,

the power to end the outflows of devas and immortals, the power of immeasurable and boundless merit, and the power of immeasurable and inexhaustible wisdom—through all these powers, cause all mutually hostile beings among the four modes of birth and six destinies to come together to the site of enlightenment and accept our repentance today.

We disciples now relinquish every enmity and will no longer form karmic bonds of hostility. May we all attain liberation, always remain far from the sufferings of the eight difficulties, and no longer suffer among the four kinds of evil destinies. May we always encounter the Buddhas, continually hear the true Dharma and awaken to the Way, arouse the bodhi-mind, create supramundane karma (6), and wholeheartedly cultivate the four immeasurable minds (7) and six methods of deliverance (8). May all our practices and vows be perfected; may we together ascend the ten bhumis (9), together enter the vajra-body (10), and together attain Perfect Awakening.

Today, we disciples perceive that enemies seek one another because beings are driven by the three karmas; practitioners must undergo painful retribution and find it difficult to realize the fruit of the Way. Knowing that the source of all suffering lies in the three karmas, we must courageously extinguish the offenses of the three karmas. The essential means of ending suffering is solely the method of repentance.

Therefore, the Buddhist scriptures praise only two kinds of people as the most courageous in the world: those who do not commit offenses, and those who, having committed offenses, know remorse and repent. We now seek repentance, giving rise to shame and moral dread. Shame means being ashamed before heaven and earth; moral dread means feeling ashamed before people and other beings.

Shame means personally repenting and relinquishing all enmities; moral dread means being able to instruct others and guide everyone to release their bonds. Shame means being able to perform wholesome deeds. Moral dread means rejoicing in the wholesome deeds of others.

Shame means feeling ashamed inwardly. Moral dread means openly disclosing one’s offenses before others. Today, having aroused great shame and moral dread and performed the rite of repentance, we must wholeheartedly pray for all beings of the four modes of birth and six destinies.

Why is this? Because the Buddhist scriptures teach that all sentient beings are related to one another. They may once have been our parents or teachers, or even our brothers and sisters.

This is true of all sentient beings. Because the net of ignorance (11) obscures their true nature, they do not recognize one another; and because they do not recognize one another, they continually inflict distress and maintain enmity toward one another. Today, we disciples understand this matter.

Therefore, with wholehearted sincerity and earnest resolve, we apply our minds, determined that every single thought shall reach and move the Buddhas of the ten directions and that every bow shall sever boundless hostility. We further pray that all who repent with one mind may, from this day until the attainment of the Way, dissolve every opposition and completely extinguish all suffering. May the masses of afflictions be entirely purified.

May we leave the four evil destinies far behind, take birth freely, personally attend upon the Buddhas, and receive predictions from them. May we simultaneously cultivate the six paramitas (12) and four equal minds, become fully endowed with the four eloquences (13) and ten powers (14), adorn our bodies with excellent marks, possess unobstructed superknowledges, enter the vajra-mind, and attain Perfect Awakening.

Notes:

1. Udumbara Flower: Udambara (S), abbreviated as Udumbara Flower, is translated as the Flower of an Auspicious Portent; it also bears the meanings “arising from emptiness” and “not arising.” It is the flower of the Udumbara tree. This marvelous tree blossoms only once in several thousand years. When it flowers, a Wheel-Turning King appears in the world, or a Buddha is born. Therefore, it is called the Udumbara Flower.

2. Borderland: Explained in Volume Thirteen, note 8, page 193 (Book II).

3. Great Bodhi: Maha Bodhi (S), great awakening. The Buddha’s Way, in contrast with the ways of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, is called great bodhi. This means that the uncontaminated virtue of the two vehicles is not the great Way; only the Buddha’s uncontaminated virtue and wisdom constitute the great Way.

4. Nonhuman: Explained in Volume One, note 6, page 97 (Book I).

5. Four Maras: Four kinds of Mara: 1/ Mara of afflictions: the afflictions of greed, anger, and delusion, which can torment body and mind; 2/ Mara of the five skandhas: form, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness, which can produce innumerable kinds of suffering and affliction; 3/ Mara of death: which can sever a person’s life faculty; 4/ Mara, the divine son of the Heaven of Mastery over Others’ Transformations: the Mara king and his retinue, who can harm our wholesome deeds. This Mara is also called simply the celestial Mara and is under the command of the Mara King of the Heaven of Mastery over Others’ Transformations. He is commonly called the Celestial Mara Papiyan.

6. Supramundane karma: Karma that transcends the world. It is pure karma, characterized by liberation and separation from the mundane world. Examples include giving motivated by compassion, observing the precepts, and practicing the Way by practitioners who seek rebirth in a Buddha-land or entry into nirvana. Such is supramundane karma.

7. 8. & 9. Explained in other volumes.

10. Vajra-body: Explained in Volume Five, note 3, page 424 (Book I).

11. 12. 13 & 14. These entries are all explained in previous volumes.