法苑珠林 55.19

55.19

我從無數劫　今得聞佛聲
即言持我分　盡用奉上佛
世尊一切師　甚難得再見
我食草飲水　可自足今日
我作人已來　飲乳甚大久
及在六畜中　亦爾不可數
世間愚癡者　亦甚大眾多
不知佛布施　後因悔無益
我乃前世時　慳貪坐牴突
復隨惡知友　不信佛經戒
使我作牛馬　至于十六劫
今乃知有佛　如病得醫藥
持我所飲乳　盡與滿鉢去
令我得智慧　得道願如佛

"Throughout countless kalpas, / only today do I get to hear the Buddha's voice.
I say: take my share, / and offer it entirely to the Buddha.
The World-Honoured One is the teacher of all; / it is very hard to see him again.
Eating grass and drinking water, / I can satisfy myself for today.
Since the times I was born as a human, / I have drunk milk for so very long;
and while among the six domestic beasts, / likewise beyond counting.
The foolish people of the world / are also exceedingly numerous;
not knowing to give alms to the Buddha, / later remorse is of no avail.
In a former life / I was stingy and greedily aggressive;
moreover, following evil friends, / I did not believe the Buddha's sūtras and precepts.
This caused me to become an ox or a horse / for up to sixteen kalpas.
Only now do I know there is a Buddha, / like a sick person receiving medicine.
Take the milk I would drink, / and give it all to fill the bowl!
May this bring me wisdom, / and may I attain the Way just like the Buddha!"