དགའ་བ་རབ་ཏ་བྱང་བའ་མད 2

2

“Nanda, why do you not go forth?”

Nanda responded, “Blessed One, please explain what is meant by the words going forth.”

The Blessed One replied as follows:

“It is the complete avoidance of all sinful deeds.
It is the perfect elimination of desire, anger, and ignorance.
It is the cleansing of all defilements that gather in the darkness of fighting, battle, blaming, quarreling, disputation, deception, and dishonesty.
It is the basis of all virtues, just as fertile soil is the basis of all grains.
It is the source of all precious things.
It is the wish-fulfilling gem of all happiness.
It is the exalted abode of all virtues.
It is what gives relief to all sentient beings.
It is the confidence of all beings.
It is what grants fearlessness to all living creatures.
It is the excellent vase for all beings who are poor.
It is the defense for those who are defenseless.
It is the resting place for those exhausted by aimless longing and tormented by suffering.
It is the distinctive feature of all buddhas.
It is the object of worship of all sentient beings.
It is what the wise ones praise.
It is the path for those proceeding toward liberation.
It is what pure sentient beings revere.
It is what is adhered to by those sentient beings who are suitable vessels.¹⁹
It is what closes the gate to rebirth in lower states of existence.
It is what opens the gate to higher states of existence and liberation.
It is what fills up the realm of divine beings.
It is the dispeller of all sufferings.
It is the liberator of those bound by the fetters of craving.
Nanda, this is what we call going forth.

“It is the house of those with right view.
It is the true commitment to liberation.
It is what leads to nirvāṇa.
It is the complete termination of the continuum.