The Buddha told Ananda, "In immeasurable, inconceivable, innumerable kalpas ago, there was a Buddha who appeared in the world. His name was The Thus come One Who Is The King of Great Ease in the World; One Worthy of Offerings; The Equal and Proper Enlightenment One; Who is perfect in Wisdom and Practice; Who is skilful in leaving the World through liberation; Who understands the World; The Unsurpassed Teacher; Taming Hero; The Teacher of Gods and People; The Buddha; The World Honoured One. He was teaching in the world for forty-two kalpas. At that time, The Buddha was teaching the Sutras and Ways of Practice to the beings in the Heaven and on Earth. There was a Great King, his name was The King Who Benefits the World. Listening to The Buddha, he was filled with joy. He thoroughly understood the deep meanings and brought forth the true and unsurpassed mind to practise the Way. His Dharma Name was Dharma Store. He cultivated the Bodhisattva Path with true wisdom and great courage. He far surpassed the people in the world. His faith, understanding and memory were always in accord with the Only One Ultimate Truth. He was also unsurpassed in practices, vows and had obtained powerful mindfulness and wisdom that enhanced his mind. He was firm, solid and unmoving. He cultivated the way vigorously. No one in the world was able to surpass his efforts. He went to the place where The Buddha dwelt. After making obeisance, he knelt down, respectfully put his palms together in front of The Buddha. He praised The Buddha and brought forth the inconceivable vows. He praised The Buddha thus:
'The Thus Come One's form is wonderfully and subtly adorned,
No one in the world is equal in comparison.
He emits immeasurable bright lights that illuminate ten directions,
Even the lights from the sun, the moon, fire and pearls are pale in comparison.
The World Honoured One in uttering a single sound,
Is able to make all kinds of beings understand according to their own faculties.
He is also able to appear in one subtle form,
And pervasively makes living beings see Him appear as different forms.
May I obtain the pure sound of the Buddha,
To expound the Dharmas pervasively to innumerable realms.
To widely teach the Dharma doors of precepts, concentration and vigor,
To deeply penetrate and understand the subtle Dharma.
May my wisdom be as wide and great like the deep sea,
May my heart be pure and free of worldly worries,
And thus able to surpass the uncountable doors of evil paths.
Swiftly may I arrive at the ultimate shore of Bodhi,
May I forever be free from delusion, greed and hatred,
And obtain the powerful samadhi that is forever absent of wrong views and deeds.
Also like the innumerable Buddhas of the past,
May I become the great leader and teacher of all living beings,
And be able to save all the beings in the world,
So that they will be free from birth, old age, sickness, death and all anxieties.
May I always practise the six paramitas,
Namely giving, precepts, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.
I shall cross over those sentient beings who are still in the sea of sufferings. Those who are practising the ways will be brought to accomplish Buddhahood.
If one were to make offerings to the sages like the sand in the Ganges,
It is still uncomparable to seeking the Proper Enlightenment with determination and courage.
I vow that I will always dwell in samadhi,
Forever emitting lights to illuminate all.
Thus I will be able to obtain a wide, great and pure dwelling,
A land that is subtly adorned with no comparison,
All those living beings who are turning on the six paths,
Will quickly be born in my Land to enjoy peace and bliss.
I will ever be compassionate to save the sentient beings,
And may I be able to cross over all the limitless living beings who are in the sea of sufferings.
I have decided to practise the way firmly and solidly,
Only The Buddha with sagely wisdom is able to know and certify it.
Even if my body were to undergo all kinds of sufferings,
I will never retreat from my vows."
No comments:
Post a Comment