慈悲道場懺法 8.45

8.45

Today, members of the assembly sharing this karmic endeavor in the bodhimaṇḍa! Together we have already paid homage to the Buddhas on behalf of our parents and relatives; next, we should again remember the benevolence and virtue of teachers and elders and devoutly pay homage to the Buddhas. Why is this? Though parents give birth to and raise us, they cannot cause us to swiftly leave the evil destinies. Our teachers and elders have measureless kindness toward us, using great compassion to encourage and instruct us, constantly causing us to cultivate goodness, wishing that we transcend birth and death to reach the other shore, benefiting us in every matter so that we may see the Buddha, eradicate the bonds of affliction, and forever abide in the unconditioned. Who could fully repay such supreme virtue? Even if one were to practice the Way for one's whole life, that would merely be of benefit to oneself and not the repayment of the teacher's kindness. Therefore, the Buddha said: 'Among kalyāṇamitras, none surpasses a teacher or elder; they can both save themselves and also save others.' Today we have received permission to leave household life and have received the full precepts; such heavy kindness was obtained from our teachers and elders. How could each of us not remember this kindness? Together, with utmost sincerity and an equal sense of poignant urgency, casting our five limbs to the ground, on behalf of our upādhyāyas, ācāryas, fellow-platform certifying witnesses, and elder, middle, and junior monks, along with their respective retinues, let us take refuge in the Great Compassionate Father of the World.