廣弘明集 17.12

17.12

The śramaṇas, each with diligent exertion, escorted the relics on their journey. Upon first entering the borders of a prefecture, they first had every household sweep and sprinkle water to cover all foul impurities. Clerics and laity, men and women, emptied their cities and came from afar to welcome them. Area commanders, regional inspectors, and other officials lined the road, escorting them on foot. The fourfold assembly carried themselves with uniform dignity and solemnity, gathering jeweled canopies, banners, pennants, flower terraces, carriage-mounted images, Buddhist curtains, Buddhist palanquins, incense mountains, incense bowls, and various sorts of music, coming together to make offerings. Each held incense and flowers, either burning or scattering them, circumambulating and singing praises, their Brahma-voices harmonious and refined, in accordance with the method described in the Āgama sutras for the entry of relics into the city of Kuśinagara. Those far and near gathered harmoniously like rising clouds and assembling mists; even the blind, the crippled, the aged, and the sick all crawled forward to arrive. The śramaṇas proclaimed to the fourfold assembly, saying: 'The Sovereign, out of the limitless and boundless great compassion of a bodhisattva, pities sentient beings to the very marrow of his bones. For this reason, he distributes the relics so that all under heaven may together create wholesome causes.' They also cited scriptural texts and various skillful means, rebuking and guiding them, with an earnestness and grief so deep that their tears fell like rain. The assembly single-mindedly joined their palms and touched their right knees to the ground. The śramaṇas then read aloud the confession text, which said: 'The imperial disciple of the Buddha who has received the bodhisattva precepts, so-and-so, respectfully addresses all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times, all dharmas, and all worthy and holy saṃgha: This disciple has received the blessings and protection of the triratna to become the sovereign father of the common people. I desire, together with all the populace, to jointly attain bodhi. Now I wish to distribute relics to the various prefectures to erect stupas, hoping to cause all to cultivate wholesome karma universally and jointly ascend to the wondrous fruition. For the sake of this disciple, the Empress, the Crown Prince, Guang, the various princes, grandsons, and descendants, the inner and outer officials, all living beings of both the hidden and manifest realms of the entire dharmadhātu, and those in the three evil destinies and eight difficulties, we confess, repent, and circumambulate the path. We respectfully invite the constantly abiding Buddhas of the ten directions, the profound Dharma repository of the twelve divisions of scriptures, the honored bodhisattvas, and all the worthy and holy ones. May you arouse great compassion, accept the invitation of this disciple and the others, and descend to this bodhimaṇḍa to bear witness to this disciple's open confession on behalf of all sentient beings.' Thereupon, they made prostrations according to the Dharma and all received the three refuges. The śramaṇas further proclaimed: 'The imperial disciple of the Buddha who has received the bodhisattva precepts, so-and-so, universally confesses and reveals, on behalf of all sentient beings, the ten types of evil karma committed since beginningless time—whether committed by oneself, causing others to commit them, or rejoicing upon seeing them committed. Due to the causal conditions of these offenses, one falls into hell, the animal realm, or the realm of hungry ghosts; or, if born among humans, one suffers short lifespans, abundant illnesses, baseness, poverty, false views, and crooked duplicity, burdened by defilements and deluded thoughts, unable to awaken on one's own. Now, receiving the radiant embrace of the Tathāgata's compassionate light, we only now become aware of those numerous offenses. With profound minds of remorse and unending fear, we openly confess and repent before the triratna. Relying on the sun of the Buddha's wisdom, we pray that all may be extinguished. From this present body until the attainment of Buddhahood, we vow never again to commit such offenses.' When the assembly heard these words, they felt intense sorrow, intense joy, intense shame, and intense dread, engraving it upon their hearts and carving it into their bones. Those who gave wealth, clothing, or cut their hair to offer as alms were beyond count. Day after day, they held great vegetarian feasts together, performed repentance rituals, and received the precepts, requesting that from now on they would cultivate good and sever evil, and in life after life, generation after generation, always be subjects of the Great Sui. Old and young, Chinese and foreigners alike, all made this vow. Even butchers, hunters, and cruel bandits personally turned their thoughts to goodness. When the relics were about to enter the reliquary, the assembly crowded around, choking the paths. The śramaṇas held high the jeweled bottles and made a circuit to show them to the fourfold assembly. Everyone wiped their eyes, looked intently, and together beheld the radiance. The sounds of mournful longing and weeping roared like thunder, moving heaven and earth. Wherever [the relics] were enshrined, it was entirely like this. The true body having already responded, the divine stupas will perpetually endure; all under heaven gaze in reverence and take refuge, and the blessings will multiply day by day without end.