法苑珠林 65.7

65.7

As the Brahmajāla Sūtra says: “If one is a disciple of the Buddha, out of compassion one should engage in the practice of releasing living beings. All men are my fathers; all women are my mothers. In life after life, there is none through whom I have not taken birth. Therefore, the sentient beings of the six destinies are all my parents. If one kills and eats them, that is killing my parents, and also killing my former body. All earth and water are my past bodies; all fire and wind are my fundamental essence. Therefore, constantly practice releasing living beings, taking birth after birth [in pure realms]. If one sees worldly people killing animals, one should use skillful means to rescue and protect them, relieving their suffering and distress. Constantly teach and preach the bodhisattva precepts to deliver sentient beings. When parents or siblings die, invite Dharma masters to expound the bodhisattva precepts and Vinaya, seeking merit to support the deceased, so that they may see the Buddhas and be born among humans or in the heavens. If one does not do so, one commits a light defilement offense.”