慈悲道場懺法

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE ASURAS AND ALL VIRTUOUS DEITIES

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, once again with utmost sincerity bow in homage to the Triple Gem, casting the five parts of the body to the ground, vowing to take the place of all the Asura kings, all the Asuras, and the kindred of the Asuras throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space;

and further vowing on behalf of all those beings who are intelligent and upright — the deities of heaven, earth, and empty space, the gods who reward the good and punish the wicked, the protectors and the keepers of mantras, the spirit kings of the eight divisions and the spirit generals of the eight divisions — extending even further, whether within or without, whether far or near, east, west, south, and north, the four intermediate directions, above and below, throughout the entire Dharma realm: all those beings who possess such great spiritual power and such great majestic virtue.

We vow on behalf of all these beings to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Precious Name Buddha

Namo Pure Multitude Buddha

Namo Boundless Name Buddha

Namo Undeceiving Light Buddha

Namo Holy Heaven Buddha

Namo King of Wisdom Buddha

Namo Vajra Multitude Buddha

Namo Good Hindrance Buddha

Namo Beholding Loving-Kindness Buddha

Namo Flower Land Buddha

Namo Dharma Intention Buddha

Namo Wind-Faring Buddha

Namo Good Reflection Name Buddha

Namo Manifold Brightness Buddha

Namo Secret Multitude Buddha

Namo Merit Hand Buddha

Namo Beneficial Intention Buddha

Namo Fearless Buddha

Namo Firm Contemplation Buddha

Namo Abiding in Dharma Buddha

Namo Encircling Sufficiency Buddha

Namo Virtue of Liberation Buddha

Namo Wondrous Body Buddha

Namo Good Intention Buddha

Namo Universal Virtue Buddha

Namo Light King Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Buddha

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to protect and shelter; we vow on behalf of the Asura kings, all the Asuras, and the kindred of the Asuras. And we further vow on behalf of those who are intelligent and upright, the deities of heaven, earth, and empty space, the lords who reward the good and punish the wicked, the protectors and keepers of mantras, the spirit kings of the eight divisions and the spirit generals of the eight divisions, together with their kindred, that they may escape the dust-defilements and afflictions of the wayfaring guest, may purify all hindrances, give rise to the Mahayana mind and cultivate the Way without obstruction;

that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them, that the four unobstructed eloquences and the six spiritual penetrations of consciousness may all be fulfilled according to their wish; that they may ever, with loving-kindness and compassion, rescue and liberate sentient beings, cultivate the Bodhisattva Way, enter the wisdom of the Buddhas, realize the vajra mind, and attain to the rank of Right Enlightenment.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE MARA KINGS

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, again with utmost sincerity bow in homage, casting the five parts of the body to the ground, vowing on behalf of the great Mara kings, the five emperor great Maras, extending even to east, west, south, and north, the four intermediate directions, above and below, to the very ends of the realm of empty space — all the Mara kings and the kinsfolk of the Maras — to take refuge in and reverently pay homage to . . . the Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion of all the world:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Brahma Muni Buddha

Namo Peaceful and Auspicious Conduct Buddha

Namo Diligent and Vigorous Buddha

Namo Blazing Robustness Buddha

Namo Great Majestic Virtue Buddha

Namo Campaka Flower Buddha

Namo Joyful Buddha

Namo Good Multitude Buddha

Namo Imperial Banner Buddha

Namo Great Love Buddha

Namo Sumana Color Buddha

Namo Multitude of Wonders Buddha

Namo Delightful Buddha

Namo Good Settled Meaning Buddha

Namo Ox King Buddha

Namo Wondrous Arm Buddha

Namo Great Vehicle Buddha

Namo Fulfilled Vow Buddha

Namo Virtue Light Buddha

Namo Precious Sound Buddha

Namo Vajra Army Buddha

Namo Wealth and Nobility Buddha

Namo Power Conduct Buddha

Namo Lion's Strength Buddha

Namo Pure Eyes Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to shelter; we vow that the great Mara kings, the five emperor great Maras, all the Mara kings, and the kindred of the Maras — from beginningless time until the present day — that however many obstructing conditions there be, all may be purified; however many sinful karmas there be, all may be wiped away; that all sufferings and afflictions may be liberated; that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them, the four unobstructed wisdoms and the six spiritual penetrations be sovereign at will; that they may cultivate the Bodhisattva Way without ceasing and without rest, first delivering sentient beings and afterward accomplishing the Buddha Way.

CHAPTER TWENTY

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE HUMAN REALM, KINGS OF NATIONS, AND SO FORTH

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, have together vowed on behalf of the heavenly beings, the immortals, the dragon spirits, and the eight divisions, and have paid homage to the Buddhas.

Now here we vow on behalf of the human realm, all the human kings, to pay homage to the Buddhas and thereby repay the kindness of humankind.

We further vow on behalf of fathers and mothers, masters and elders, and all the people, to pay homage to the Buddhas. Why is this so?

Because if there were no sovereign of the nation, then all sentient beings would not know upon whom to rely. By virtue of the sovereign of the nation, all people dwell in peace and delight in their occupations; they travel upon the land of the sovereign, live upon the land of the sovereign, and receive many other benefits beyond reckoning. Therefore the Great Assembly must hold a heart of gratitude and repay this kindness.

The Scripture teaches:

If anyone, throughout the six periods of day and night, is willing to endure suffering, and out of a wish for benefit vows to repay kindness, then he must give rise to such a mind in order to cultivate the practice of loving-kindness and compassion.

By virtue of that vow's power, he reflects upon repaying the sheltering kindness of the sovereign of the nation, reflects upon repaying the provisioning kindness of the donors, reflects upon repaying the kindness of his father and mother who gave him birth, reflects upon repaying the kindness of teaching of his masters and elders, and reflects upon repaying the kindness of deliverance bestowed by all the Buddhas.

If anyone is able with utmost mind ever to contemplate in this manner, that person enters the Way very swiftly.

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, perceive the wholesome kindness of all the Buddhas, the Great Sages, who open and transform and lovingly guide us with such earnestness, causing us to know we must repay their kindness.

Today we are born into the age of the Dharma's decline, and we hope, by the kindness of the sovereign of the nation, to make the Buddha-Dharma flourish and shine; for the sovereign of the nation makes offerings in full abundance, sparing not the precious treasures, causing all the people everywhere to follow the example of the sovereign and to give rise to a heart of taking refuge in and revering the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Furthermore, those who have left the household life are able to set their minds at ease and practice the Way; whether walking, standing, lying, or sitting, they are free and unobstructed. The sovereign of the nation does not require those who have left home to take part in worldly affairs; he is concerned only to exhort people to do good, vowing that sentient beings may swiftly escape the suffering of birth and death; he is concerned only to proclaim the immeasurable Dharma gateways, pointing out the true path and the right road for gods and humans.

Since the kindness of the sovereign of the nation is so great as this, how could we fail to pay homage to the Buddhas with all our hearts in order to repay the kindness of the sovereign of the nation? We must together, with utmost sincerity, bow in homage and vow on behalf of the sovereign of the nation to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Kasyapa Buddha

Namo Pure Intention Buddha

Namo Foremost in Knowledge Buddha

Namo Fierce Majestic Virtue Buddha

Namo Great Radiant Light Buddha

Namo Buddha-Light Wonder Buddha

Namo Pure Treasury Buddha

Namo Discerning Majesty Buddha

Namo Undiminished Buddha

Namo Secret Sun Buddha

Namo Moonlight Buddha

Namo Upholding Brightness Buddha

Namo Good Tranquil Conduct Buddha

Namo Immovable Buddha

Namo Great Invitation Buddha

Namo Virtue Dharma Buddha

Namo Adornment King Buddha

Namo Lofty Emergence Buddha

Namo Blazing Flame Buddha

Namo Flower Virtue Buddha

Namo Precious Adornment Buddha

Namo Supreme Goodness Buddha

Namo Precious Supremacy Buddha

Namo Beneficial Wisdom Buddha

Namo Adorned Deliverance Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will extend their hearts to embrace and receive, and vow that the present sovereign of the nation may be sound and vigorous in body, his majestic virtue resounding, his enterprise everlasting, his life of wisdom without end, his loving heart inexhaustible; that sentient beings may turn their hearts to him, that the Bodhisattvas may flourish in transforming the world, and that gods and humans may extol and admire him.

May the four equalities and the six paramitas grow ever brighter day by day; may the four unobstructed eloquences and the delight in expounding be without end; may he attain a sovereign mind, be complete in the six spiritual penetrations, and the moment he gives rise to the thought of samadhi and the dharani that retains all, may he immediately possess it; with loving-kindness and compassion he pities the world, his kindness extending throughout the six paths; may the myriad practices be soon perfected and the Buddha Way swiftly accomplished.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE KINDRED OF THE SOVEREIGN OF THE NATION

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, again with full sincerity bow in homage to the Triple Gem, vowing on behalf of the kindred of the sovereign of the nation and the hundred officials together with the kindred of the hundred officials, to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.

Namo Ocean Virtue Buddha.

Namo Brahma Mark Buddha.

Namo Moon Canopy Buddha.

Namo Yaksa Flame Buddha.

Namo Vilamba King Buddha.

Namo Wisdom Praise Buddha.

Namo Awakened Contemplation Buddha.

Namo Merit Light Buddha.

Namo Pure Flowing Pervasion Buddha.

Namo Fulfilled Vow Buddha.

Namo Flower Light Buddha.

Namo Good Precepts Buddha.

Namo Lamp King Buddha.

Namo Lightning Light Buddha.

Namo Light King Buddha.

Namo Radiant Brightness Buddha.

Namo Complete and Sufficient Praise Buddha.

Namo Flower Treasury Buddha.

Namo Pusya Buddha.

Namo Upright and Adorned Body Buddha.

Namo Pure Meaning Buddha.

Namo Majestic Fierce Army Buddha.

Namo Merit and Majestic Virtue Buddha.

Namo Power Conduct Buddha.

Namo Rahu Heaven Buddha.

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva.

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to support and protect, and vow that the kindred of the sovereign of the nation, the hundred officials, and the kindred of these may be at ease in body and mind, may live long without end, may cultivate the Mahayana Way and enter the wisdom of the Buddhas; that they may uphold the four great vows and never forsake sentient beings; that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them; that with the six penetrations and the eight masteries they may thoroughly understand the faculties and natures of beings, be complete in the two adornments, be sovereign in spiritual power, and with a loving heart like that of the Buddhas embrace and transform sentient beings.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, ought next to remember and reflect upon the kindness of our fathers and mothers, who gave us birth and raised us; bearing us in the womb and suckling us, cherishing us with deep and weighty love, they would rather endanger their own persons that their child might be safe and secure. And when the child grew up, the father and mother again labored to teach him to know benevolence and propriety, with all their hearts seeking teachers to instruct him in his studies, vowing that the child might thoroughly comprehend meaning and principle, see broadly and understand deeply, ever wishing that the child might keep pace with others.

Whatever the child desired, the father and mother would supply it, sparing not the family treasures.

Day and night they were anxious; sometimes for the child's sake the father and mother would fall into the suffering of illness and could not sleep in peace. When the child went far away, the father and mother longed for him all the more.

In all the world, the kindness of father and mother is the weightiest of all.

For this reason the Buddha taught:

"In all the world, there is no kindness equal to the kindness of father and mother."

Alas! Those who have left the household life and those who remain in lay life, not yet able to attain the Way, must diligently labor in cultivation and study, doing good without rest, accumulating virtue without ceasing — only then may they hope to repay the toilsome kindness of their fathers and mothers.

Let the Great Assembly together, with utmost sincerity, bow in homage to the Triple Gem, each one for himself vowing, on behalf of the fathers and mothers of many lives and the kinsfolk of many kalpas — from the time of first possessing consciousness until the present day — and all kindred, to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.

Namo Wisdom Gathering Buddha.

Namo Tamer and Subduer Buddha.

Namo Suchness King Buddha.

Namo Flower Mark Buddha.

Namo Rahula Buddha.

Namo Great Medicine Buddha.

Namo Constellation King Buddha.

Namo Medicine King Buddha.

Namo Virtue Hand Buddha.

Namo Taksaka Buddha.

Namo Flowing-Pervasion King Buddha.

Namo Buddha-Light Buddha.

Namo Dharma Treasury Buddha.

Namo Wondrous Intention Buddha.

Namo Virtue Lord Buddha.

Namo Vajra Multitude Buddha.

Namo Wisdom Crown Buddha.

Namo Good Mantra Buddha.

Namo Intentful Conduct Buddha.

Namo Brahma Voice Buddha.

Namo Lion Buddha.

Namo Thunder Voice Buddha.

Namo Penetrating Mark Buddha.

Namo Peaceful and Secure Buddha.

Namo Wisdom Dragon Buddha.

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva.

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to embrace and receive, and vow that our fathers and mothers and kinsfolk, and the kindred of our fathers and mothers and kinsfolk, from this day onward until the day of becoming Buddhas, may have all their sinful hindrances wiped away, all their sufferings liberated, the fetters of affliction ever purified; that they may forever depart from the four modes of birth, be reborn at will in sovereign freedom, draw near to all the Buddhas, receive the Buddhas' prediction of enlightenment; that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them, the four unobstructed eloquences, the power of the six spiritual penetrations, sovereign and according to their wish;

that they may attain the ten powers of wisdom, with excellent marks adorning their bodies, and together ascend the Place of the Way to become beings of Right Enlightenment.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF FORMER LIVES

Today within the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, there may be those whose fathers and mothers died early, who can never meet them again, and who only long for them in vain.

Not yet having attained the spiritual penetration of the heavenly eye, one does not know: after their fathers and mothers passed away, where were their spirit-souls reborn?

One should only make haste to rely upon the power of merit and virtue, recollecting and longing in remembrance in order to repay their kindness; doing good without rest, and when after long days success is achieved, one will surely attain the fulfillment of one's wish.

The Scripture teaches: "To make merit on behalf of the departed is like sending provisions to one who has gone afar. If that person has been reborn in the heavens, then his merit and virtue will benefit him more and more day by day. If that person has fallen into the three evil paths, or has met with the eight calamities, then he will be forever far removed from suffering and affliction. And if such persons are born and meet a Buddha and receive the right Dharma, they will straightaway attain transcendence and awakening.

The fathers and mothers of seven generations and the kinsfolk of many kalpas will have all their dreads and fears removed and will together attain liberation. This is the most venerable and most supreme way of repaying kindness, the utmost loving-kindness and utmost filial piety of a wise and knowing child."

Today the Great Assembly ought together, in sorrow and grief and tender remembrance, with anguish weeping, choked with tears, casting ourselves down upon the ground, to vow on behalf of our fathers and mothers of many lives and the kinsfolk of many kalpas, to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Brahma King Buddha

Namo Ox King Buddha

Namo Beneficial Tisya Eye Buddha

Namo Dragon Virtue Buddha

Namo Mark of Skill Buddha

Namo Adornment Buddha

Namo Unhidden Voice Buddha

Namo Flower Virtue Buddha

Namo Sound Virtue Buddha

Namo Lion Buddha

Namo Adorned Loving-Kindness Buddha

Namo Valiant Wisdom Buddha

Namo Flower Accumulation Buddha

Namo Flower Opening Buddha

Namo Power Conduct Buddha

Namo Virtue Accumulation Buddha

Namo Supreme Form and Color Buddha

Namo Bright and Wondrous Buddha

Namo Moon Lamp Buddha

Namo Majestic Virtue King Buddha

Namo Bodhi Eye Buddha

Namo Body Full and Replete Buddha

Namo Wisdom Land Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will rescue and deliver our fathers and mothers and our kinsfolk of many lives and many kalpas in the past, that from this day onward until the day of accomplishing the Buddha Way, all their sinful causes may be wiped away, all their bitter fruits may be entirely cleansed, the fetters of affliction and binding karma made wholly pure; that they may sever the three obstructing conditions and remove the five terrors, cultivate the Bodhisattva Way and broadly deliver sentient beings, cultivate the mind through the eight liberations and benefit beings through the four great vows, draw near to the Tathagata and receive the Buddhas' prediction of enlightenment;

that without leaving their place they may realize the fruit of no-birth, roam freely according to their thoughts, journey throughout all the Buddha-lands, swiftly perfect their practices and vows, and quickly realize Right Enlightenment.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF MASTERS AND ELDERS

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, have already paid homage to the Buddhas on behalf of our fathers and mothers and kinsfolk. Next we ought to reflect upon the kindness and virtue of our masters and elders. Why is this so?

— Because although our fathers and mothers have the merit of giving us birth and raising us, they are unable in any way to cause us swiftly to depart from the evil paths. Therefore our masters and elders have toward us a kindness and virtue beyond measure. Our masters and elders, with hearts of great loving-kindness, lead and guide and lovingly exhort us, ever teaching us to cultivate wholesomeness, wishing us to escape the ocean of birth and death and reach the other shore of liberation. In every benefit they cause us to behold the Buddhas, to remove all the fetters of affliction, and to abide peacefully in the Way of the Unconditioned.

Such kindness and virtue — who can repay it to the very end? Even though one cultivate throughout one's whole life, that is but to benefit oneself, and is not yet a repaying of the kindness of one's masters and elders.

For this reason the Buddha taught: "Among the good and wise friends of all the world, none surpasses one's masters and elders, who having delivered themselves are also able to deliver others."

That we today are able to leave the household life and receive the great precepts — this good fortune is gained by the kindness of our masters and elders. This being so, how could anyone fail to be concerned to repay and to remember in gratitude the kindness of his teacher?

Therefore let the Great Assembly together, with utmost mind and single heart in earnest fervor, casting the five parts of the body to the ground, vow on behalf of the Upadhyayas, the Acaryas, the venerable witnesses sharing the ordination platform — those of the upper, middle, and lower seats — and the kindred of these, to take refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Most Supreme Buddha

Namo Pure Illumination Buddha

Namo Wisdom Virtue Buddha

Namo Wondrous Sound Buddha

Namo Guiding Master Buddha

Namo Unobstructed Treasury Buddha

Namo Supreme Giving Buddha

Namo Greatly Honored Buddha

Namo Wisdom of the World Buddha

Namo Great Flame Buddha

Namo Emperor King Buddha

Namo Subduing Power Buddha

Namo Majestic Virtue Buddha

Namo Good Brightness Buddha

Namo Renowned Buddha

Namo Upright and Adorned Buddha

Namo Free of Dust and Defilement Buddha

Namo Dignified Deportment Buddha

Namo Lion Army Buddha

Namo Heavenly King Buddha

Namo Famed Renown Buddha

Namo Surpassing Excellence Buddha

Namo Great Treasury Buddha

Namo Merit and Virtue Light Buddha

Namo Brahma Refinement Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to embrace and receive, and vow that the Upadhyayas, the Acaryas, the venerable witnesses sharing the ordination platform — those of the upper, middle, and lower seats — and the kindred of these, from this day onward until the day of becoming Buddhas, may have all their sinful hindrances purified, all their sufferings liberated, all their afflictions severed; that according to their will they may be reborn in the Pure Lands of all the Buddhas, that the practices and vows of the Bodhisattvas may all be perfectly fulfilled, with inexhaustible giving of wealth, inexhaustible giving of Dharma, inexhaustible merit and virtue, inexhaustible peace and joy, inexhaustible life span, and inexhaustible wisdom;

that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them, the four unobstructed wisdoms, the power of the six spiritual penetrations, sovereign and according to their wish; that they may enter the Suramgama Samadhi, attain the vajra mind, and without forsaking their former vows, return again to this world to transform and deliver sentient beings.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE BHIKSUS AND BHIKSUNIS OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, have already paid homage to the Buddhas on behalf of the Upadhyayas, the Acaryas, and so forth; thereafter we must again, with utmost sincerity, bow in homage to the Triple Gem, paying homage to the Buddhas universally on behalf of all the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Siksamanas, Sramaneras, and Sramanerikas, present and future, throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space, together with the kindred of these; and we further vow to pay homage to the Buddhas on behalf of all the Upasakas and Upasikas throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space, together with the kindred of these;

and we further vow to pay homage to the Buddhas on behalf of all the households of faithful donors and almsgivers from of old until now, the good and evil friends, and those who have an affinity or no affinity with the Buddha-Dharma, together with the kindred of these.

Thus, on behalf of all humankind within the human realm and the kindred of the human realm, today the Great Assembly, out of a heart of loving-kindness and compassion, universally on behalf of all, takes refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Lamp King Buddha

Namo Wisdom Crown Buddha

Namo Supreme King Buddha

Namo Earth King Buddha

Namo Attaining Liberation Buddha

Namo Golden Topknot Buddha

Namo Rahu Sun Buddha

Namo Invincible Buddha

Namo Muni Purity Buddha

Namo Good Light Buddha

Namo Golden Boundary Buddha

Namo Cultivated-Virtue Heavenly King Buddha

Namo Dharma Canopy Buddha

Namo Virtue Arm Buddha

Namo Angada Buddha

Namo Beautiful and Wondrous Wisdom Buddha

Namo Subtle Intention Buddha

Namo Manifold Majestic Virtue Buddha

Namo Lion Topknot Buddha

Namo Mark of Liberation Buddha

Namo Majestic Mark Buddha

Namo Severing the Stream Buddha

Namo Wisdom Treasury Buddha

Namo Wisdom Gathering Buddha

Namo Unobstructed Praise Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will together extend their hearts to shelter, and vow that all the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Siksamanas, Sramaneras, and Sramanerikas throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space, together with the kindred of these; and further that all the Upasakas and Upasikas throughout the ten directions together with the kindred of these; and further that all the households of faithful donors and almsgivers from of old until now, the good friends and the evil friends, and those who have an affinity or no affinity with the Buddha-Dharma, together with the kindred of these, extending even to all humankind, all the human realm, from beginningless time until the present day — however many afflictions there be, all may be severed;

however many obstructing conditions there be, all may be purified; however many sinful karmas there be, all may be entirely cleansed; however many sufferings there be, all may be liberated; that they may depart far from the three karmas and remove the five terrors; that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them; that the four unobstructed wisdoms and the six spiritual penetrations of consciousness may all be sovereign; that they may cultivate the practice of the Bodhisattva, enter the Way of the One Vehicle, and deliver and liberate sentient beings.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

PAYING HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHAS ON BEHALF OF THE FOUR ASSEMBLIES OF THE PAST

Today the Great Assembly, fellow practitioners in the Place of the Way, again with all their hearts bow in homage to the Triple Gem. We vow on behalf of all the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Siksamanas, Sramaneras, and Sramanerikas throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space who have already passed away; all the Upasakas and Upasikas, extending even to all humankind throughout the ten directions, all the human realm who have already passed away, together with the kindred of these. Today the Great Assembly, with a heart of loving-kindness and compassion the same as the heart of all the Buddhas, universally on behalf of these persons takes refuge in the worldly Father of Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion:

Namo Maitreya Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Precious Gathering Buddha

Namo Good Sound Buddha

Namo Mark of the Mountain King Buddha

Namo Dharma Crown Buddha

Namo Virtue of Liberation Buddha

Namo Good and Upright Adornment Buddha

Namo Auspicious Body Buddha

Namo Loving Speech Buddha

Namo Lion's Benefit Buddha

Namo Haluna Buddha

Namo Lion Dharma Buddha

Namo Dharma Power Buddha

Namo Loving Delight Buddha

Namo Praise of the Immovable Buddha

Namo King of the Multitude's Brightness Buddha

Namo Awakening Buddha

Namo Wondrous Brightness Buddha

Namo Mind Abiding in Meaning Buddha

Namo Radiant Illumination Buddha

Namo Fragrance Virtue Buddha

Namo Numinous Joy Buddha

Namo Undeceiving Conduct Buddha

Namo Extinguishing Anger Buddha

Namo Supreme Color Buddha

Namo Good Strides Buddha

Namo Boundless Body Bodhisattva

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Again we take refuge in this manner in all the Triple Gem throughout the ten directions to the very ends of the realm of empty space.

We pray that the Triple Gem, out of compassion, will rescue, protect, embrace, and receive, and vow that all the Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Siksamanas, Sramaneras, and Sramanerikas, together with the kindred of these, of the past age; and we vow that all the Upasakas and Upasikas, together with the kindred of these, of the past age — if there be any who suffer torment within the path of the hells, this very day let them attain liberation; or if there be any who suffer torment within the path of the hungry ghosts, this very day let them attain liberation; or if there be any who suffer torment within the path of the beasts, this very day let them attain liberation; let them escape the eight calamities, escape the eight calamities, and be born into the eight blessings;

let them forever depart from the evil paths and ever be born into the Pure Land; with inexhaustible giving of wealth, inexhaustible giving of Dharma, inexhaustible merit and virtue, inexhaustible peace and joy, inexhaustible life span, and inexhaustible wisdom; that the four immeasurable minds and the six paramitas may ever be manifest before them, the four unobstructed wisdoms, the power of the six spiritual penetrations, sovereign and according to their wish; that they may ever behold the Buddhas, hear the Dharma, cultivate the Bodhisattva Way, valiantly and vigorously, without ceasing and without rest, advancing onward until the rank of Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment, broadly delivering all sentient beings.

THE COMPASSIONATE PLACE OF THE WAY METHOD OF REPENTANCE

VOLUME THE EIGHTH

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