2月16日

勸發菩提心文
清 省庵 ( 1686~1734 )

入道要門，發心為首；修行急務，立願居先。
願立則眾生可度，心發則佛道堪成。
《華嚴經》云:「忘失菩提心，修諸善法，是名魔業。」
念念上求佛道，心心下化眾生。
聞佛道長遠，不生退怯；
觀眾生難度，不生厭倦。
如登萬仞之山，必窮其頂；
如上九層之塔，必造其顛。
勿言一念輕微，勿謂虛願無益，
心真則事實，願廣則行深。
虛空非大，心王為大；
金剛非堅，願力最堅。

──選自《省庵法師語錄》

February 16th

Exhortation to Make the Vow to Develop Bodhi Mind
Xing'an (1686 - 1734, Qing Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang
The most supreme amongst the essential elements to entering the
Way is the making of vows; the making of vows is foremost in the
extensive and important task of cultivation.

Once vows are made, sentient beings can be ferried to the other
shore; once there is initiative, Buddhahood will be reached.

It is said in the Avatamsaka Sutra, “To engage in virtuous
cultivation, yet having forgotten about the mind of great vows,
is called unwholesome karma.”

Searching for the path to Buddhahood in every thought and wishing
to save all sentient beings, knowing that the path to Buddhahood is a
long and difficult one, yet never having any fear or thought of turning back;

Seeing that there will be great hardships to save all sentient beings,
yet never becoming tired of such a task; these are called the “true vows.”

Like climbing a mountain full of sharp and flesh-cutting blades,
eventually the peak will be reached. Like climbing up a nine-story
pagoda, the top will be reached at last.

Do not regard a small thought as useless; if the mind is sincere, then
matters will be realized. If vows are broad, then one’s actions will be
deep and effective.

Emptiness may be vast, but the mind is even bigger; diamonds may
be strong, but the power of vows are even stronger.

── from Xing’an Fashi Yulu (Records of Venerable Xing'an)