諸經要集 20.9

20.9

The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus: 'When you see sentient beings in security and experiencing various pleasures, you should reflect thus: "In wandering through the long night of saṃsāra, we too have experienced such pleasures in immeasurable realms." Or when you see sentient beings enduring various sufferings and afflictions, you should reflect thus: "Since wandering through the long night of saṃsāra in the past, we too have experienced such sufferings an immeasurable number of times." Or when you see sentient beings and give rise to fear so that your hair stands on end, you should reflect thus: "In the past we must have taken life, acted as tormentors, or been bad companions; wandering through the long night of beginningless saṃsāra, we did not know the original limit of suffering." Or when you see sentient beings and feel affection and joy toward them, you should reflect thus: "In past lives they must have been our parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children, relatives, teachers, and friends." Thus wandering through the long night of saṃsāra, veiled by ignorance and with craving binding the neck, one wanders through the long night, not knowing the original limit of suffering. Therefore, bhikṣus, you should train thus, exerting energetic skill-in-means to sever the roots [of suffering] and not let them increase.' At that time, the Bhagavat spoke this verse: