諸經要集 8.25

8.25

It is heard that among the multitudinous living creatures, none does not crave life; among the fluttering, deluded multitude, all know the fear of death. For this reason, the distressed tiger that has lost its forest entrusts its life to a hut, and the frightened bird with injured feathers casts its body beside a table. As for Young Yang nurturing the sparrow, could he have had any intention toward the jade rings? When the Kong gentleman released the turtle, he had originally no thought of a golden seal. Yet the unseen appointed times never err, and refined recompense arrives in due course. Thus one knows that the karmic deeds of cause and effect are as bright as the sun. Furthermore, the teaching of great compassion takes the rescue of suffering as its prime concern; the mind of the vast vow takes the saving of lives as its foundation. Yet the prominent clans of the five capitals boast of rows of tripods; the unrestrained men of the Three Commanderies all make wielding the butcher's knife their pursuit. What crime have living beings committed that they should wrongly suffer the mutilation of their forms? Sentient beings are without fault, yet arbitrarily meet with the chopping board and pickle vat, causing aggrieved souls to continue without end and painful retributions to be repaid to one another. I now urge benevolent persons to cultivate compassionate practice together: let all that is in peril and fear be preserved and released. Let them fly or sink as they will, following their drinking and pecking. Cause the purple scales and red tails to gaze across lakes and rivers together; cause the brocade breasts and kingfisher feathers equally to roam free among the clouds. Some, hearing the Three Refuges, awaken to the path—how are they different from the blind dragon? Others, hearing the Four Truths, are born in heaven, just like the parrot. Together let us establish the foundation of longevity, and together attain the fruit of eternal life.