大乘入道次第 1.23

1.23

Having already made the vows, next one establishes the oaths. According to the Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, based on five meanings, six kinds of oaths are established. The five meanings are: first, being able to solidify one's mind; second, being able to subdue afflictions; third, being able to prevent negligence; fourth, being able to destroy the five hindrances; fifth, being able to diligently cultivate the six perfections. How does one establish the oaths? 'If someone comes seeking all kinds of things, at that time I will give in accordance with what I have, not even generating a single thought of stinginess. If I maintain the precepts, even to the loss of my life, I will establish a pure mind, swearing never to regret or alter it. If I cultivate patience and am harmed or even dismembered by others, I will constantly generate a mind of benevolence, swearing to have no anger or hindrance. If I cultivate vigor and encounter cold or heat, kings, bandits, floods, fires, lions, tigers, wolves, or places without water or grain, I must be firm, swearing not to retreat or sink. If I cultivate dhyāna and am troubled by external affairs so that I cannot collect my mind, I must bind mindfulness to the object, swearing not to let improper disordered thoughts arise even for a moment. If I cultivate wisdom, I will contemplate all dharmas in accordance with their real nature, following and upholding it. Regarding the good and non-good, the conditioned and unconditioned, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, I will not give rise to dualistic views. If my mind is stingy, regretful, angry, hindered, retreating, sunken, or filled with disordered thoughts, or gives rise to dualistic views even for the snap of a finger, and I seek recompense through giving, morality, patience, vigor, dhyāna, or wisdom, then I would be deceiving the measureless, boundless, asamphyeya present Buddhas of the worlds in the ten directions, and in future ages I would certainly not realize bodhi.' Bodhisattvas uphold the practice of the true Dharma through the ten great vows, and subdue negligence through the six great vows. They will surely be able to cultivate the six perfections diligently and accomplish unexcelled bodhi.