緇門警訓 4.18

4.18

The Rites of Reverence states: "Thus we know that beginners and later entrants must rely on masters and virtuous friends. Now, in taking refuge in the Triratna, one always delights in drawing close to them. Therefore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitōpadeśa says: 'If a bodhisattva has not entered the stage of the Dharma, distancing himself from the Buddhas will destroy his roots of goodness; sinking in afflictions, he cannot save himself, so how could he save others? For this reason, he should not distance himself from the Buddhas. Just as an infant does not leave its mother, a traveler on the road does not leave provisions, one in the heat does not leave cool breezes, one in the cold does not wish to leave fire, one crossing water does not leave a good boat, and one suffering from illness does not leave an excellent physician, so a bodhisattva constantly does not leave the Buddha. Why? Parents, relatives, friends, humans, and deva kings cannot benefit me to cross the ocean of suffering; only the Buddha, the Bhagavat, causes me to escape suffering. For this reason, one constantly mindful does not leave the Buddhas.' Furthermore, the Sujāta Sūtra says: 'If a person receives the three self-refuges, the fruit and retribution obtained cannot be exhausted. Like four great treasure houses, which all the people of a country cannot empty out in seven years, the merit of one who receives the three refuges exceeds that and cannot be calculated.' Furthermore, the Sūtra on Weighing and Comparing Merit says: 'Even if the four continents were filled with fruits of the Two Vehicles, and someone were to provide offerings for their entire life, or even erect stūpas, it would not equal a man or woman speaking these words: "I, so-and-so, take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha." The merit obtained is inconceivable, because among all blessings, the Triratna is supreme.'"