佛說觀佛三昧海經 6.9

6.9

"One sees all sentient beings of the eastern direction as one's fathers; one sees all sentient beings of the western direction as one's mothers; one sees all sentient beings of the southern direction as one's elder brothers; one sees all sentient beings of the northern direction as one's younger brothers; one sees all sentient beings of the downward direction as one's wives and children; one sees all sentient beings of the upward direction as one's teachers and elders; and all in the four intermediate directions as śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, and the like. Seeing these sentient beings, one sees that they all suffer pain and distress, or encounter severe illnesses, or are on mountains of blades, trees of swords, fire-carts, and burning coals. Seeing all these afflictions, one weeps in compassion and wishes to eradicate their suffering. Generating the thought of oneself, one rides a jeweled lotus and approaches each person: tending their bodies, massaging them, and washing their leprous sores. Seeing the fires of hell, one weeps tears of sorrow and compassion, wishing to extinguish those fires. Seeing the hungry ghosts, one pierces one's own body to draw blood, imagining it transformed into milk, and supplies it to the hungry ghosts so that they are satisfied. Once they are satisfied, one preaches the Dharma to them, praising the Buddha, praising the Dharma, and praising the bhikṣu-Saṅgha. Having sung these praises, one's sorrow and compassion deepen all the more, without pausing for a moment. Bringing such loving-kindness to the utmost proficiency, explaining each matter extensively as in the loving-kindness samādhi—such loving-kindness is called the practice of loving-kindness.