摩訶止觀 7.163

7.163

勸請者，名為「祈求」。聲聞自度，直懺己罪；菩薩愍眾，故行道，故須勸請。我今知罪尚不得脫；眾生不知，歷劫流轉。我無力救，請十方佛。佛愍眾生，不簡巨細，必冀從願。《大論》明請、不請（云云）。請轉法輪謂：勸、示、證，令於四諦生眼、智、明、覺，是名「三轉」。有人言：「請說三乘，名『三轉』。」佛若說法，眾生得涅槃證；設未得者，且令受世間樂。佛若普許，則一切得安；我預一切，罪苦亦除。如遍請雨，我有少田，自霑甘潤。請住世者：夫命隨業得住，變化隨心得住，心止化滅。我今請佛饒益眾生，如大炬火，莫止變化之心，久住安隱度脫一切，是名「勸請」。

Entreating means 'praying and petitioning.' Śrāvakas cross themselves over, directly repenting only their own sins; bodhisattvas pity the multitude and therefore practice the path, hence they must entreat. I now know my transgressions yet still cannot escape; sentient beings do not know, transmigrating through kalpas. I lack the strength to save them, so I entreat the buddhas of the ten directions. The buddhas pity sentient beings without distinguishing great from small, and will surely grant our wish. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa clarifies entreating and not entreating, and so forth. Entreating the turning of the wheel of Dharma means: encouraging, displaying, and witnessing, causing them to generate the eye, wisdom, clarity, and awakening regarding the four truths—this is called the 'three turnings.' Some say: 'Entreating the preaching of the three vehicles is called the "three turnings."' If the Buddha preaches the Dharma, sentient beings attain the realization of nirvāṇa; even if they have not yet attained it, it provisionally causes them to enjoy worldly pleasures. If the Buddha gives universal consent, then all will attain peace; since I am included among all, my sins and sufferings will also be eliminated. Just like praying everywhere for rain: though I have only a small field, it will naturally be moistened by the sweet moisture. Entreating [the Buddha] to remain in the world: life-span remains according to karma, and transformed manifestations remain according to the mind; when the mind ceases, the transformed manifestations vanish. I now entreat the Buddha to benefit sentient beings: like a great torch, do not cease the mind of transformed manifestations; dwell long in peace and serenity to liberate all. This is called 'entreating.'