慈悲道場懺法 3.23

3.23

Today, assembly sharing this karmic endeavor in the bodhimaṇḍa! As the sūtra says, it is greatly to be feared. We do not know in which destiny we have already committed such immeasurable evil karma, only to suffer severe retribution in future lives. Perhaps in this very life we will have to experience such suffering: becoming stuttering, mute, and unable to speak, or having large bellies and small necks, unable to swallow food. How can human life be fixed? Though safe today, tomorrow is hard to guarantee; once the karmic retribution arrives, there is no escape. Each of us should awaken to this meaning, keep an upright mind and correct mindfulness without any other thoughts, and with equal, uniform anguish, cast our five limbs to the ground, taking refuge in the Great Compassionate Father of the World universally on behalf of all sentient beings of the four modes of birth and six destinies—both those who are already suffering and those who have not yet suffered.