The Lotus Sūtra 1.3

1.3

嗚呼！如來愍諸眾生有種種性、種種欲、種種行、種種憶想分別，歷劫纏繞無有出期，乃為此大事因緣現世，敷暢妙旨，作殊勝方便，俾皆得度脫超登正覺，此誠濟海之津梁而燭幽之慧炬也。善男子、善女人，一切眾生，能秉心至誠持誦佩服頂禮供養，即離一切苦惱，除一切業障，解一切生死之厄。不啻如飢之得食，如渴之得飲，如寒之得火，如熱之得涼，如貧之得寶，如病之得醫，如子之得母，如渡之得舟，其為快適欣慰，有不可言。

Ah! The Tathāgata had pity on sentient beings, who have diverse natures, diverse desires, diverse practices, and diverse conceptual distinctions, entangled through kalpas with no time of escape; he thus appeared in the world for the sake of this one great cause, unfolding the wondrous purport and providing superior upāya so that all might attain deliverance and ascend to right awakening. This is truly a bridge across the sea and a torch of wisdom illuminating the darkness. If good sons, good daughters, and all sentient beings can sincerely uphold, recite, cherish, bow to, and make offerings to it, they will instantly be freed from all suffering, eliminate all karmic hindrances, and untie all perils of saṃsāra. It is no less than food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, fire to the cold, coolness to the hot, treasure to the poor, a physician to the sick, a mother to a child, or a boat to one crossing over—its comfort and joy are beyond words.