BODHISATTVA'S VOW
LEADER: I am only a simple disciple,
but I offer these respectful words:
ASSEMBLY: When I regard the true nature
of the many dharmas, I find them all to be sacred forms of the Tathagata's
never- failing essence. Each particle of matter, each moment, is no other than
the Tathagata's inexpressible radiance.
With this realization, our virtuous
ancestors gave tender care to beasts and birds with compassionate minds and
hearts. Among us, in our own daily lives, who is not reverently grateful for
the protections of life: food, drink, and clothing! Though they are inanimate
things, they are nonetheless the warm flesh and blood, the merciful incarnations
of Buddha.
All the more, we can be especially
sympathetic and affectionate with foolish people, particularly with someone who
becomes a sworn enemy and persecutes us with abusive language. That very abuse
conveys the Buddha's boundless loving-kindness. It is a compassionate device to
liberate us entirely from the mean-spirited delusions we have built up with our
wrongful conduct from the beginningless past.
With our open response to such abuse we
completely relinquish ourselves, and the most profound and pure faith arises.
At the peak of each thought a lotus flower opens, and on each flower there is
revealed a Buddha. Everywhere is the Pure Land in its beauty. We see fully the
Tathagata's radiant light right where we are.
May we retain this mind and extend it
throughout the world so that we and all beings become mature in Buddha's
wisdom.
(Honolulu Diamond Sangha)
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