勝鬘寶窟 1.33

1.33

一來意門者，略明六義：一承書所聞；二眼親覩；三欲信佛，佛為生信之本；四欲歸依於佛，歎佛功德，即明堪歸之事；五發心求佛，須識佛勝德，可以願求；六欲利益群生，令識佛德，方得禮念稱歎及以歸依。前五自行，後一利他也。

First, the section on the purpose [of the praise] briefly clarifies six points: 1. receiving what was heard in the letter; 2. witnessing [the Buddha] in person with one's own eyes; 3. wishing to have faith in the Buddha, as the Buddha is the basis for generating faith; 4. wishing to take refuge in the Buddha, praise of the Buddha's virtues clarifies that he is suitable to be taken refuge in; 5. generating the aspiration to seek the Buddha, one must know the Buddha's supreme virtues before one can vow and seek them; 6. wishing to benefit all living beings, causing them to recognise the Buddha's virtues so that they may pay homage, be mindful of, praise, and take refuge [in him]. The first five are practice for oneself; the last one is benefiting others.