大方廣圓覺修多羅了義經 1.9

1.9

Thereupon, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva arose from his seat in the midst of the great assembly, bowed his head to the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times to the right, knelt on both knees with joined palms, and addressed the Buddha, saying: "O Bhagavat of Great Compassion! We pray that for the sake of the assembly of bodhisattvas in this gathering and for all sentient beings of the latter age who cultivate the Mahāyāna, you will explain how they are to cultivate upon hearing this pure realm of perfect enlightenment. Bhagavat, if those sentient beings know that things are like illusions, their bodies and minds are also illusions; how can they use illusion to cultivate illusion again? If all illusory natures are entirely eliminated, then there is no mind; who is it that engages in cultivation? Why then is it said that cultivation is like an illusion? If sentient beings do not cultivate originally, and constantly dwell in illusory transformations within saṃsāra, never having comprehended the realm of being like an illusion, how can their delusive minds be liberated? We pray that you will explain what upāya and gradual cultivation are to be practiced for all sentient beings of the latter age, so that sentient beings may be forever freed from all illusions." Having spoken these words, he cast his five limbs to the ground; thus he made three requests, repeating them from beginning to end.