法苑珠林 89.65

89.65

Having received the precepts, one must then request verification. First one requests the bodhisattvas, and afterwards one requests the Buddhas. First, requesting the bodhisattvas refers to the bodhisattvas of the great bhūmis. "Great bhūmis" refers to the gotra-bhūmi, the adhimukti-caryā-bhūmi, up to the ten bhūmis, such as Samantabhadra up to Bhadraśrī. The recipient kneels on both knees, and the precept master rises for them, bows to the assemblies of bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and says: "I, disciple so-and-so, reverently address the assemblies of bodhisattvas of the great bhūmis across the ten directions, numerous as dust motes—Mañjuśrī, Vajraketu, Guṇavardhana, and others: this bodhisattva so-and-so, in such-and-such country and world, before such-and-such image in such-and-such saṃghārāma, has received the bodhisattva precepts from me, so-and-so, by speaking three times; I serve as witness." (Said three times.) Requesting the Buddhas refers to all the Buddhas of the ten directions. Briefly following one teaching, from the Buddha Kuśalaśrī in the eastern direction to the Buddha Prabhāśrī in the nadir, all the Buddhas: "The foremost great teachers, who presently know, see, and awaken; who presently know, see, and awaken for all sentient beings: now the bodhisattva so-and-so, in such-and-such world, before such-and-such image in such-and-such saṃghārāma, has received the bodhisattva precepts from me, so-and-so, by speaking three times; I serve as witness." (Said three times.) Because of this declaration, auspicious omens appear in front of the Dharma before immeasurable Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the great bhūmis—there may be radiance, or a cool breeze, or wondrous fragrance. Because signs appear, the Buddhas of the ten directions regard this bodhisattva so-and-so as a child, and the bodhisattvas of the great bhūmis regard him as a younger brother. Because of regarding him as a child and as a younger brother, with compassionate and loving mindfulness they ensure that after receiving them, whenever this bodhisattva violates [a precept] he immediately repents it, focuses with single-minded mindfulness, resolutely maintains them without violation, and never retrogresses until attaining bodhi; that he becomes endowed with the thirty-two marks, the eighty minor characteristics, all pure ten powers, four fearlessnesses, three applications of mindfulness, three unguardable karmic actions, great compassion, unfailing qualities, severing all residual habit-energies, complete with all-aspect wondrous wisdom and the one hundred and forty unshared qualities; and that riding on great loving-kindness and compassion, he roams through the ten directions, broadly delivering sentient beings without weariness, so that all sentient beings together share this benefit.