佛說佛名經 1.55

1.55

"Generating these seven kinds of minds, focusing one's thoughts upon all the Buddhas, worthies, and sages of the ten directions, raising one's hands with palms joined, laying everything bare with utmost sincerity, feeling shame and reforming, opening and pouring out one's heart and liver, washing clean one's intestines and stomach—when performing kṣamā in this way, what sin will not be eradicated? What obstruction will not be dissolved? If, however, one merely acts leisurely, laxly giving free rein to one's desires and thoughts, one toils one's body in vain to what benefit? Furthermore, human life is impermanent, like a turning candle; once a breath does not return, one turns straightway to ash and soil. One must then personally undergo the bitter retribution of the three paths; one cannot rely on money, wealth, or precious goods to entreat for release. In the dark and murky [underworld], an imperial pardon is nowhere in sight; one endures this suffering all alone, with no one to take one's place. Do not say, 'In this present life I have no such sin, and for that reason I cannot perform kṣamā with utter sincerity.' A sūtra states: 'Whenever ordinary beings lift a foot or take a step, there is nothing that is not sin.' Moreover, in past lives everyone fully accumulated immeasurable evil karma, which pursues the practitioner like a shadow following a form. If one does not perform kṣamā today, sinful evils will deepen by the day. For this reason, the Buddha's teaching does not permit concealing flaws, while expounding the kṣamā of prior sins was esteemed by Vimalakīrti. Thus one knows that sinking long in the ocean of suffering is truly caused by concealment. Therefore, disciple, make open confession and perform kṣamā today, not daring to conceal anything.