Shikshasamuccaya 139

139

"Noble son, sustained by a virtuous friend, bodhisattvas do not fall into bad migrations. Attended by a virtuous friend, they do not transgress the bodhisattva training. Shielded by a virtuous friend, they rise above the world. Reverently serving a virtuous friend, bodhisattvas act without unmindfulness in all bodhisattva deeds. Embraced by a virtuous friend, bodhisattvas are invincible against karma and afflictions. Virtuous friends are awakeners, preventers of what should not be done, turners-away from situations of negligence, and deliverers from the city of saṃsāra. Therefore, noble son, with such attention, one who has calmed down should approach virtuous friends: with a mind like the earth, by not turning away from bearing all burdens; with a mind like a vajra, by having an unbreakable disposition; with a mind like the Cakravāḍa mountains, by not being shaken by any suffering; with a mind like a servant of the world, by not loathing the assumption of any task; with a mind like a broom, by abandoning conceit and excessive conceit; with a mind like a carriage, by bearing heavy burdens; with a mind like a dog, by not getting angry; with a mind like a boat, by not being terrified of going and coming; like a good son, by looking to the virtuous friend's face. And within yourself, noble son, you should produce the perception of being sick; in virtuous friends, the perception of a physician; in their instructions, the perception of medicine; and in the practice, the perception of eradicating disease. And within yourself, noble son, you should produce the perception of being cowardly; in virtuous friends, the perception of being heroes; in their instructions, the perception of weapons; and in the practice, the perception of annihilating the enemy."