廣弘明集 28.36

28.36

The disciple Shen Yue speaks to all Buddhas of the ten directions, all Great Sages of the ten directions, and the present assembly of monks today: The three realms do not exist, and the five aggregates are all empty. The four inversions and the ten fetters join together in harmony. All things are like lightning, flashing past ten thousand kalpas in an instant. The mound and well are easily fallen into, drifting and sinking at last onto the shore of suffering. The straying path extends ever further; lost from youth, one forgets to return. This petty seven-foot body—none realize it is provisional; what lies beyond ear and eye, they deem empty talk. Having nothing to rely on and nowhere to return, they neither believe nor accept. Once a living being perishes, there is no prospect of regaining life. This is why I, Shen Yue, touch my heart in self-pity, and face my actions with no comparison. The Supreme Sage is frozen in stillness, leaving no trace to be sought; responding to causes according to receptivity, His sole concern is rescuing beings. Bearing His bowl and walking in peace, He set out from that Jetavana; before the high noon passed, He brought blessing to sentient beings. His fragrant traces and remaining Dharma stand lofty and unchanged. In the summer past, Yue contracted an illness; the Sovereign above had pity and deeply extended his sympathetic care. When the month turned to departing heat and the day was binyin, he assembled a thousand monks at his private residence. His exalted kindness and weighty generosity knew no bounds. Having already revered this vast virtue, I also reflect upon exhausting my own family wealth; yet to gather a thousand at one stroke was difficult to manage privately, whereas doing so gradually to reach full number might be easily fulfilled. For this, Dharma Master Yue of Caotang organized it at the mountain temple where he resides, this being one of eight assemblies. Relying above upon Dharma Master Sengyou of Upper Dinglin Temple, on the twenty-ninth day of this month, a tenth assembly of a hundred monks was gathered at the rural cottage I founded. 'Blessings are not spent in vain'—hearing this from the scriptural teachings, my mind's path became bright and clear, even surpassing this. Whatever tiny drop there may be that should testify to future karma, whether great or small, shall all redound to the Sagely Lord. I look up and pray that the ten directions jointly illumine this vow. How could it suffice even slightly to repay the heavenly favour? It is merely to lodge my slight sincerity, that is all.