法苑珠林 50.5

50.5

蓋聞重恩三寶慈蔭四生。化育十方等同一子。機無細而不臨。智有來而必撫。遂使優填刻像欝爾浮光。斯匿鑄形超然避席。自茲厥後靈瑞倍興。嘉聲彌盛靡草從風。念則罪滅福生。敬則德隆終古。良由如來長我法身父母養我生身。既修長壽之因。不存蜉蝣之命。恩義深重特須思報恩也。

I have heard that the heavy grace of the Three Jewels and their compassionate shade cover the four forms of birth; their transformation and nurturing across the ten directions regard [all beings] equally as an only child. There is no subtle circumstance they do not attend to, and whenever wisdom approaches, they are sure to comfort it. Consequently, they caused Udayana to carve a statue with radiant, floating light, and Prasenajit to cast a form, rising above all to vacate his seat. From that time onward, miraculous omens arose with redoubled vigour, and their glorious fame spread all the more abundantly, as grass bends before the wind. By mindfulness of them, sins are eradicated and blessings arise; by revering them, virtue flourishes through all antiquity. Truly, it is because the Tathāgata nurtures our Dharma body, while our parents rear our physical body. Having cultivated the cause for longevity, we do not cling to the lifespan of a mayfly. Kindness and righteousness are profound and weighty, and one especially must contemplate repaying this kindness.