勅修百丈清規 1.87

1.87

We see that extreme drought causes disaster, and the hundred plants wither away. This is not Heaven sending down punishment, but arises from the many transgressions of the people below. Only the Buddhas open the gate of compassion, and divine mantras have the response of prayer and averting disaster. Therefore, we respectfully generate a sincere mind, establish a ritual arena to pray for rain, and daily instruct monks to chant sūtras and mantras, reverently beseeching the holy ones. We hope that our prayer for rain will swiftly be granted an efficacious response. We humbly pray that living beings be rescued from distress—how arduous indeed! May cloud dragons arise from the mountains and streams, bringing torrential downpours, so that these plentiful crops may yield an abundant autumn.