諸經要集 1.45

1.45

Consider that the strength of ordinary persons is weak, and their accumulated evil is abundant. Because they dwell in the Sahā world, their minds are cowardly and weak; when first learning this Dharma, they fear retreating and failing. One should constantly make great vows to support this practice, so that until the end of life the mind has no hindrances or afflictions. In accordance with whatever roots of goodness one plants, one vows together with all sentient beings to attain sovereign rebirth, reaching the presence of the Buddha in Maitreya's inner assembly, cultivating and studying according to one's thoughts to realize non-retrogression, not wishing to be born among the outer assembly for fear of attaching to the five desires and failing to attain liberation. Therefore the Zhidu lun says: "There are people who cultivate minor karmic blessings; hearing of a place of blessings, they vow to be born there, and at the end of life they are each born therein." Furthermore, the Da zhuangyan lun says: "The matter of Buddha lands is great; practicing merit alone cannot accomplish it; one must rely on the power of vows. Just as an ox, though strong enough to pull a cart, must rely on a driver to reach somewhere, the purification of Buddha lands is guided and accomplished by vows. Because of the power of vows, merits increase, are not lost or destroyed, and one constantly sees the Buddha." Furthermore, as the Shizhu lun says: "If a person resolves their mind to seek Buddhahood without rest or cessation—even if someone were to lift the great trichiliocosm with a finger and suspend it in the air, that would not be difficult. But if one makes the vow: 'I shall become a Buddha,' such a person is rare. Why is this? Because worldly people have inferior minds and lack great aspirations." Furthermore, the Fa putixin lun has ten great vows that one should always cultivate: