釋門歸敬儀 2.17

2.17

In the secular world, some value namo but slight respectful bowing, because they are not familiar with the mutual translations between Chinese and Sanskrit. How much more so when vandana is added: the Buddhas would laugh all the more at sentient beings' confusion. When they say "vandana," they take it to mean "deliver me." Drowning now in the river of birth and death, one mindful of relying on salvation seeks to escape. Arguing according to this, does not vandana first pertain to venerated teachers, its meaning extending to the supreme sages, as mindfulness of rescue? Therefore, when one arrives at the Buddha's place in the sūtras, saying, "Namo to the unattached, truly attained, fully and correctly enlightened one," this is termed praising the Tathāgata's virtues with vocal karma.