廣弘明集 16.31

16.31

The monk So-and-so respectfully states: I humbly reflect that the sun of wisdom has hidden its reflection and the wheel of compassion has ceased its response. Karma follows the tossing of afflictions; craving is woven according to emotional desires. In vain do we pity the jewel hidden in the garment, unaware of holding a famed treasure; from afar we sigh over the golden leaves used to stop weeping children with empty words. Were we not to manifest this superior karma and plant those marvelous conditions, how could we depart from this hall of the mind and remove this cave of the body? Therefore, the crystal dragon stūpa laments eternally over the Buddha's left-behind whiskers, and the bright-mirror stone grotto lingers alone before the preserved shadow. I, So-and-so, long ago made a vow to fashion an eighteen-foot lacquer Buddha image on behalf of all the beings of the six paths and four forms of birth. Months and years have slipped away, and conditions are easily snatched away. I have constantly feared that this transient body would suddenly follow the water-drawing, and that the retribution of returning to nothingness would flash like lightning. Now I establish sincere devotion to fulfill this original vow, so that the gathered moons display their countenance and the golden mountain manifests its traces. Seeing this form, goodness may arise; hearing the name, evil may be abandoned. May it pull out the painful afflictions of the six sense-bases and dispel the burning blaze of the five fires! However, the four treasures are often depleted and the seven kinds of wealth are mostly lacking. Looking up to the twin lotuses, I sigh in solitude; gazing upon the svastika, I have no way forward. If you could slightly detach from the five perils and make modest donations of the four requisites, uniting this unseen compassion to accomplish this karmic cause and effect together, then the merit of the plain silk will not belong only to past ages, and the reward of scattering flowers will be verified in future conditions. In speaking of goodness there is no extravagance; in my words, there is much shame. Respectfully stated.