諸經要集 8.5

8.5

蓋聞。三寶重恩。四生慈父。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。靈祥屢應。嘉聲遠著。靡草從風。念則罪滅福生。敬則善資遠代。良由如來長我法身。父母養我生身。恩德既深。昊天難報。況復違背重恩。豈不永沈苦海。是故。婦人鴆毒。夫蒙國賞。樵人害獸。雙臂俱落。故智度論云。知恩者大悲之本。開善業之初門。人所愛敬。名譽遠聞。死得生天。終成佛道。不知恩者。甚於畜生也。

It is heard that the profound kindness of the Triratna and the compassionate father of the four kinds of beings nurtures the ten directions, regarding all equally as an only child. There is no subtle capacity that is not overseen; where wisdom approaches, it must comfort. Thus King Udayana carved a statue whose radiant light rose luxuriantly, and King Prasenajit cast an image, stepping down from his seat in awe. Ever after, miraculous omens responded repeatedly and good fame spread afar, like grass bending before the wind. By mindfulness of them, sins are extinguished and blessings arise; by revering them, goodness aids distant generations. This is truly because the Tathāgata nurtures our dharmakāya, while parents nourish our physical body. Since their kindness and virtue are so deep, even vast heaven is hard to repay. How much more so if one violates such heavy kindness—would one not sink forever in the ocean of suffering? For this reason, when a woman was poisoned, her husband received the state's reward; when a woodcutter harmed a beast, both of his arms fell off. Therefore, the Dazhidulun says: 'Knowing kindness is the root of great compassion, the opening gate to good karma; such a person is loved and respected by others, their fame spreads far and wide, upon death they are born in heaven, and ultimately attain buddhahood. Those who do not know kindness are worse than animals.'