慈悲道場懺法 7.8

7.8

Today, assembly sharing this karmic endeavor in the bodhimaṇḍa! How could each and every person not repay their grace and make offerings? Among all merits, offerings are supreme. Therefore, a sūtra says: 'Merely recollecting past lifetimes when offerings were slight, the retribution received spanned vast kalpas with remaining blessings.' The Tiānshī jīng says: 'If one wishes to repay it, erecting stupas and vihāras, offering lamps, candles, banners, canopies, flowers, incense, rugs, and various kinds of offerings—in future ages, one will naturally receive the blessings thereof. Although these are offerings, they do not repay the Buddha's grace. If one wishes to repay the Buddha's grace, only generating the bodhicitta, establishing the four great vows, creating immeasurable conditions, adorning bodily marks, and cultivating pure land practices: this is for the wise to know grace and repay grace.'