Therefore, having relied upon an excellent protector, solidify your certainty about the way that all the scriptures are causal factors for one person to become a buddha.
【◎ 是故应当依善依怙，于其一切正言，皆是一数取趣，成佛支缘。所有道理，令起定解。】
LAM RIM CHEN MO 《菩提道次第广论》
然后呢进入大乘，虽然有很多经典，我们现在《华严》做代表，或者你们自己可以想，各式各样的经典上面都这么说。这个文殊菩萨一再开示善财童子，以及他善财童子不断地参访善知识，随处随地那个善知识也一再开示他，说：“你要成佛啊，要成就一切智智，总要依靠善知识。”那么这个详细的情况到后面说，到后面说。这个是我们修学佛法第一步。
善财来到妙意华门城，城门前一石碑，碑上刻诗云：
童男童女骨肉亲，手中牵个玉麒麟。
殷勤来报善财到，弥勒楼前路最亲。
善财读毕，大为惊讶。不知怎么知道自己要来。这石碑又刻了很久。莫非过去有与我同名的善财吗？正猜疑间，有声音道：“欢迎！欢迎！”善财转过头来，看见一对童男童女，恭恭敬敬地站著道：“我们奉德生童子和有德童女之命，前来迎接圣者。”善财感到手脚无措，这突如其来的欢迎，更使他不解其中奥秘。也不好细问，只得随从二位走去。
进了城门，门内又有一对童男童女站立两旁迎接，又跟随善财往里走。
走到一所楼房门口，又有一对童男童女侍立两旁迎接，善财一到又随同进入楼房。到华堂门口，又有一对童男童女迎接。善财细看楼房，庄严华丽，飞檐斗阁，炯炯发光。
善财入了华堂，陈设豪华，美观大方，但时现时隐。德生童男和有德童女，并肩坐华堂宝座上。善财急忙上前施礼下拜，抬头一看，不见德生和有德，也不见宝座。只见两边椅凳，排列整齐，欲往上坐，椅凳也不见了。善财站回原处，椅凳照样排列整齐。欲往上坐，又不见了。如此三、四次皆如此。善财心中纳闷，不知是怎么回事？
善财参拜善知识心诚！没有看见椅子也往空处上坐，却坐在一张软绵绵的椅子上，其他椅凳排列如故。抬头往上看，德生有德，并肩坐宝座上，互相依偎。善财想说明来意，见此亲热神情，竟说不出口。
可是不等善财言语，德生童男先开口道：“我在文殊师利童子处就知道你要来，而且知道你今天此时到来，所以派了童男童女们来迎接你。不过这里不是你的住处。”
善财问道：“为什么我不能在此住呢？”有德童女道：“这是幻境，幻境是虚妄不实的。你所知道的一切都是虚幻的，你所参拜的善知识也是虚幻的，你学到的那些都是虚幻的。”
善财大惊：我跋涉千山万水，参拜五十位善知识皆是虚幻，我这些辛苦乃白费力！不！他们才是虚幻的，他们那样形影不离，欲情未断，亲亲热热，那才是虚幻，他们不是善知识者，是魔鬼。
善财正思念间，未曾开口，有德童女却说道：“你想得很对，我们是亲亲热热的一对，我们的童男童女都是一对对形影不离，这就是依他起性呀。法依他而起，男依女而有，女依男而存。一切事物都是这样，相对相存，没有好就没有坏，没有女就没有男，所以说这些相对存在的都是虚幻不真实的。若执此虚幻为真实，就是遍计执性。执男是真实，或执女是真实，都是执著，这就是遍计所执，虚妄的执著，不正确的执著，离开依他离开遍计二边执著，才能显出真理，各圆成实性，这才是你的住处，可是这圆成实性也是一无所有呀！善财，你也应该有个女伴才对呀。”
善财满面羞愧，想到：我参访五十个善知识都不知道这个道理，德生有德真善知识也。
德生童子拿出一张纸条给善财说道：“你到海岸国，大庄严园，弥勒菩萨那儿去找住处。”
善财接过纸条，德生、有德、楼阁等都不见了，只是一片空阔的田野。这时才感到心里一亮：
一切有为法，如梦幻泡影。
善财展开纸条，上面写道：
德生有德两和融，同幻同生意莫穷。
同住同修成解脱，同悲同智显灵功。
同缘同想心冥契，同见同知道转通。
若要一身成佛果，毗卢楼阁在南中。
善财读罢，领会到了，有为的幻化，无为的真理，感到遍身轻松，内心寂静，智慧广博，象脱胎换骨似的另成一人，欢天喜地地往海岸国去。
尔时，善财童子渐次南行，至妙意华门城，见德生童子、有德童女，顶礼其足，右绕毕已，于前合掌而作是言：“圣者！我已先发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心，而未知菩萨云何学菩萨行？云何修菩萨道？唯愿慈哀，为我宣说！”
时，童子、童女告善财言：
“善男子！我等证得菩萨解脱，名为：幻住。得此解脱故，见一切世界皆幻住，因缘所生故；一切众生皆幻住，业烦恼所起故；一切世间皆幻住，无明、有、爱等展转缘生故；一切法皆幻住，我见等种种幻缘所生故；一切三世皆幻住，我见等颠倒智所生故；一切众生生灭、生老病死、忧悲苦恼皆幻住，虚妄分别所生故；一切国土皆幻住，想倒、心倒、见倒无明所现故；一切声闻、辟支佛皆幻住，智断分别所成故；一切菩萨皆幻住，能自调伏教化众生诸行愿法之所成故；一切菩萨众会、变化、调伏、诸所施为皆幻住，愿智幻所成故。善男子！幻境自性不可思议。
“善男子！我等二人但能知此幻住解脱。如诸菩萨摩诃萨善入无边诸事幻网，彼功德行，我等云何能知能说？”
时，童子、童女说自解脱已，以不思议诸善根力，令善财身柔软光泽，而告之言：
“善男子！于此南方，有国名：海岸，有园名：大庄严，其中有一广大楼阁，名：毗卢遮那庄严藏，从菩萨善根果报生，从菩萨念力、愿力、自在力、神通力生，从菩萨善巧方便生，从菩萨福德智慧生。
“善男子！住不思议解脱菩萨，以大悲心，为诸众生，现如是境界，集如是庄严。弥勒菩萨摩诃萨安处其中，为欲摄受本所生处父母、眷属及诸人民，令成熟故；又欲令彼同受生、同修行众生，于大乘中得坚固故；又欲令彼一切众生，随住地、随善根皆成就故；又欲为汝显示菩萨解脱门故，显示菩萨遍一切处受生自在故，显示菩萨以种种身普现一切众生之前常教化故，显示菩萨以大悲力普摄一切世间资财而不厌故，显示菩萨具修诸行知一切行离诸相故，显示菩萨处处受生了一切生皆无相故。汝诣彼问：菩萨云何行菩萨行？云何修菩萨道？云何学菩萨戒？云何净菩萨心？云何发菩萨愿？云何集菩萨助道具？云何入菩萨所住地？云何满菩萨波罗蜜？云何获菩萨无生忍？云何具菩萨功德法？云何事菩萨善知识？
“何以故？善男子！彼菩萨摩诃萨通达一切菩萨行，了知一切众生心，常现其前教化调伏。彼菩萨已满一切波罗蜜，已住一切菩萨地，已证一切菩萨忍，已入一切菩萨位，已蒙授与具足记，已游一切菩萨境，已得一切佛神力，已蒙一切如来以一切智甘露法水而灌其顶。善男子！彼善知识能润泽汝诸善根，能增长汝菩提心，能坚汝志，能益汝善，能长汝菩萨根，能示汝无碍法，能令汝入普贤地，能为汝说菩萨愿，能为汝说普贤行，能为汝说一切菩萨行愿所成功德。
“善男子！汝不应修一善、照一法、行一行、发一愿、得一记、住一忍，生究竟想；不应以限量心，行于六度，住于十地，净佛国土，事善知识。何以故？善男子！菩萨摩诃萨应种无量诸善根，应集无量菩提具，应修无量菩提因，应学无量巧回向，应化无量众生界，应知无量众生心，应知无量众生根，应识无量众生解，应观无量众生行，应调伏无量众生，应断无量烦恼，应净无量业习，应灭无量邪见，应除无量杂染心，应发无量清净心，应拔无量苦毒箭，应涸无量爱欲海，应破无量无明暗，应摧无量我慢山，应断无量生死缚，应度无量诸有流，应竭无量受生海，应令无量众生出五欲淤泥，应使无量众生离三界牢狱，应置无量众生于圣道中，应消灭无量贪欲行，应净治无量瞋恚行，应摧破无量愚痴行，应超无量魔网，应离无量魔业，应净治菩萨无量欲乐，应增长菩萨无量方便，应出生菩萨无量增上根，应明洁菩萨无量决定解，应趣入菩萨无量平等，应清净菩萨无量功德，应修治菩萨无量诸行，应示现菩萨无量随顺世间行，应生无量净信力，应住无量精进力，应净无量正念力，应满无量三昧力，应起无量净慧力，应坚无量胜解力，应集无量福德力，应长无量智慧力，应发起无量菩萨力，应圆满无量如来力，应分别无量法门，应了知无量法门，应清净无量法门，应生无量法光明，应作无量法照耀，应照无量品类根，应知无量烦恼病，应集无量妙法药，应疗无量众生疾，应严办无量甘露供，应往诣无量佛国土，应供养无量诸如来，应入无量菩萨会，应受无量诸佛教，应忍无量众生罪，应灭无量恶道难，应令无量众生生善道，应以四摄摄无量众生，应修无量总持门，应生无量大愿门，应修无量大慈、大愿力，应勤求无量法常无休息，应起无量思惟力，应起无量神通事，应净无量智光明，应往无量众生趣，应受无量诸有生，应现无量差别身，应知无量言辞法，应入无量差别心，应知菩萨大境界，应住菩萨大宫殿，应观菩萨甚深妙法，应知菩萨难知境界，应行菩萨难行诸行，应具菩萨尊重威德，应践菩萨难入正位，应知菩萨种种诸行，应现菩萨普遍神力，应受菩萨平等法云，应广菩萨无边行网，应满菩萨无边诸度，应受菩萨无量记莂，应入菩萨无量忍门，应治菩萨无量诸地，应净菩萨无量法门，应同诸菩萨，安住无边劫，供养无量佛，严净不可说佛国土，出生不可说菩萨愿。善男子！举要言之，应普修一切菩萨行，应普化一切众生界，应普入一切劫，应普生一切处，应普知一切世，应普行一切法，应普净一切刹，应普满一切愿，应普供一切佛，应普同一切菩萨愿，应普事一切善知识。
“善男子！汝求善知识，不应疲倦；见善知识，勿生厌足；请问善知识，勿惮劳苦；亲近善知识，勿怀退转；供养善知识，不应休息；受善知识教，不应倒错；学善知识行，不应疑惑；闻善知识演说出离门，不应犹豫；见善知识随烦恼行，勿生嫌怪；于善知识所生深信尊敬心，不应变改。何以故？善男子！菩萨因善知识，听闻一切菩萨诸行，成就一切菩萨功德，出生一切菩萨大愿，引发一切菩萨善根，积集一切菩萨助道，开发一切菩萨法光明，显示一切菩萨出离门，修学一切菩萨清净戒，安住一切菩萨功德法，清净一切菩萨广大志，增长一切菩萨坚固心，具足一切菩萨陀罗尼辩才门，得一切菩萨清净藏，生一切菩萨定光明，得一切菩萨殊胜愿，与一切菩萨同一愿，闻一切菩萨殊胜法，得一切菩萨秘密处，至一切菩萨法宝洲，增一切菩萨善根芽，长一切菩萨智慧身，护一切菩萨深密藏，持一切菩萨福德聚，净一切菩萨受生道，受一切菩萨正法云，入一切菩萨大愿路，趣一切如来菩提果，摄取一切菩萨妙行，开示一切菩萨功德，往一切方听受妙法，赞一切菩萨广大威德，生一切菩萨大慈悲力，摄一切菩萨胜自在力，生一切菩萨菩提分，作一切菩萨利益事。
“善男子！菩萨由善知识任持，不堕恶趣；由善知识摄受，不退大乘；由善知识护念，不毁犯菩萨戒；由善知识守护，不随逐恶知识；由善知识养育，不缺减菩萨法；由善知识摄取，超越凡夫地；由善知识教诲，超越二乘地；由善知识示导，得出离世间；由善知识长养，能不染世法；由承事善知识，修一切菩萨行；由供养善知识，具一切助道法；由亲近善知识，不为业惑之所摧伏；由恃怙善知识，势力坚固，不怖诸魔；由依止善知识，增长一切菩提分法。何以故？善男子！善知识者，能净诸障，能灭诸罪，能除诸难，能止诸恶，能破无明长夜黑暗，能坏诸见坚固牢狱，能出生死城，能舍世俗家，能截诸魔网，能拔众苦箭，能离无智险难处，能出邪见大旷野，能度诸有流，能离诸邪道，能示菩提路，能教菩萨法，能令安住菩萨行，能令趣向一切智，能净智慧眼，能长菩提心，能生大悲，能演妙行，能说波罗蜜，能摈恶知识，能令住诸地，能令获诸忍，能令修习一切善根，能令成办一切道具，能施与一切大功德，能令到一切种智位，能令欢喜集功德，能令踊跃修诸行，能令趣入甚深义，能令开示出离门，能令杜绝诸恶道，能令以法光照耀，能令以法雨润泽，能令消灭一切惑，能令舍离一切见，能令增长一切佛智慧，能令安住一切佛法门。
“善男子！善知识者，如慈母，出生佛种故；如慈父，广大利益故；如乳母，守护不令作恶故；如教师，示其菩萨所学故；如善导，能示波罗蜜道故；如良医，能治烦恼诸病故；如雪山，增长一切智药故；如勇将，殄除一切怖畏故；如济客，令出生死暴流故；如船师，令到智慧宝洲故。善男子！常当如是正念思惟诸善知识。
“复次，善男子！汝承事一切善知识，应发如大地心，荷负重任无疲倦故；应发如金刚心，志愿坚固不可坏故；应发如铁围山心，一切诸苦无能动故；应发如给侍心，所有教令皆随顺故；应发如弟子心，所有训诲无违逆故；应发如僮仆心，不厌一切诸作务故；应发如养母心，受诸勤苦不告劳故；应发如佣作心，随所受教无违逆故；应发如除粪人心，离憍慢故；应发如已熟稼心，能低下故；应发如良马心，离恶性故；应发如大车心，能运重故；应发如调顺象心，恒伏从故；应发如须弥山心，不倾动故；应发如良犬心，不害主故；应发如旃荼罗心，离憍慢故；应发如犗牛心，无威怒故；应发如舟船心，往来不倦故；应发如桥梁心，济渡忘疲故；应发如孝子心，承顺颜色故；应发如王子心，遵行教命故。
“复次，善男子！汝应于自身生病苦想，于善知识生医王想，于所说法生良药想，于所修行生除病想；又应于自身生远行想，于善知识生导师想，于所说法生正道想，于所修行生远达想；又应于自身生求度想，于善知识生船师想，于所说法生舟楫想，于所修行生到岸想；又应于自身生苗稼想，于善知识生龙王想，于所说法生时雨想，于所修行生成熟想；又应于自身生贫穷想，于善知识生毗沙门王想，于所说法生财宝想，于所修行生富饶想；又应于自身生弟子想，于善知识生良工想，于所说法生技艺想，于所修行生了知想；又应于自身生恐怖想，于善知识生勇健想，于所说法生器仗想，于所修行生破冤想；又应于自身生商人想，于善知识生导师想，于所说法生珍宝想，于所修行生捃拾想；又应于自身生儿子想，于善知识生父母想，于所说法生家业想，于所修行生绍继想；又应于自身生王子想，于善知识生大臣想，于所说法生王教想，于所修行生冠王冠想、服王服想、系王缯想、坐王殿想。
“善男子！汝应发如是心，作如是意近善知识。何以故？以如是心近善知识，令其志愿永得清净。
“复次，善男子！善知识者长诸善根，譬如雪山长诸药草；善知识者是佛法器，譬如大海吞纳众流；善知识者是功德处，譬如大海出生众宝；善知识者净菩提心，譬如猛火能炼真金；善知识者出过世法，如须弥山出于大海；善知识者不染世法，譬如莲华不著于水；善知识者不受诸恶，譬如大海不宿死尸；善知识者增长白法，譬如白月光色圆满；善知识者照明法界，譬如盛日照四天下；善知识者长菩萨身，譬如父母养育儿子。
“善男子！以要言之，菩萨摩诃萨若能随顺善知识教，得十不可说百千亿那由他功德，净十不可说百千亿那由他深心，长十不可说百千亿那由他菩萨根，净十不可说百千亿那由他菩萨力，断十不可说百千亿阿僧祇障，超十不可说百千亿阿僧祇魔境，入十不可说百千亿阿僧祇法门，满十不可说百千亿阿僧祇助道，修十不可说百千亿阿僧祇妙行，发十不可说百千亿阿僧祇大愿。
“善男子！我复略说一切菩萨行、一切菩萨波罗蜜、一切菩萨地、一切菩萨忍、一切菩萨总持门、一切菩萨三昧门、一切菩萨神通智、一切菩萨回向、一切菩萨愿。一切菩萨成就佛法，皆由善知识力，以善知识而为根本，依善知识生，依善知识出，依善知识长，依善知识住，善知识为因缘，善知识能发起。”
时，善财童子闻善知识如是功德，能开示无量菩萨妙行，能成就无量广大佛法，踊跃欢喜，顶礼德生及有德足，绕无量匝，殷勤瞻仰，辞退而去。
Shrisambhava and Shrimati
Then Sudhana went to the city of Sumanamukha, and there he called on the boy Shrisambhava and the girl Shrimati; paying his respects to them, he said, “Noble ones, I have set my mind on supreme perfect enlightenment, but I do not know how an enlightening being is to learn and carry out the practice of enlightening beings. I hear you give enlightening beings instruction, so please tell me how to learn and carry out the practice of enlightening beings.”
They said to him, “We have attained and experienced an enlightening liberation called ‘illusory.’ Having realized this liberation, we see all worlds as illusory, being produced by the illusion of causes and conditions. We know all beings are illusory, by knowledge of the illusion of afflictions in action. We see all worldlings as illusory, born of the illusion of ignorant craving for existence. We see all phenomena as illusory, arisen from the illusion of mutual conditioning. We see the whole triple world as illusory, produced by the illusion of misunderstanding. We see all sentient beings, afflicted by birth, old age, death, grief, lament, suffering, and sorrow, as illusory, born of the illusion of untrue ideas. We see all lands as born of illusion, produced by the delusion of ideas of substance of existence in the illusions wrongly seen by the conceiving mind. We see all hearers and individual illuminates as illusory, born of illusory thoughts of knowledge and effort. We know the succession of all enlightening beings’ practices, vows, and developmental guidance of sentient beings as illusory, being essentially illusions of action and teaching created from illusion. We see the circle of all buddhas and enlightening beings as illusory, being essentially illusions of the inconceivable realm, produced by the illusions of vows and knowledge.
“We know this enlightening liberation of illusoriness. How can we know the practice or tell of the virtues of the enlightening beings who follow the extensive network of the endless illusion of action?”
Then the boy and girl, having showered Sudhana with an inconceivable stream of virtue and told him of their own range of liberation, said to him, “Go south, to a place called Samudrakaccha. There is a park called Great Array there, wherein there is a great tower called Chamber of Adornments of Vairocana, which has been produced by the maturation of roots of goodness of enlightening beings, originating from the thoughts of enlightening beings, arisen from the vows of enlightening beings, based on the masteries of enlightening beings, created by the power of mystic knowledge of enlightening beings, made of the skill in means of enlightening beings, completed by the power of virtue and knowledge of enlightening beings, showing enlightening beings’ great compassionate guidance of sentient beings, built of arrays of spiritual powers of enlightening beings, adorned by the states of inconceivable liberation of enlightening beings. There an enlightening being, a great being named Maitreya, lives for the purpose of benefiting the people of his native land, developing his parents and relatives to maturity, making those there who carry out the same practices firm in the Great Vehicle, to develop the roots of goodness of other beings according to their states, to show how to enter this liberation, to cultivate the power of an enlightening being to be born anywhere and travel about, appearing in all states of being, to perfect those beings, to develop the power of universal compassion of enlightening beings in the desire to benefit all beings, to become aware of the state of enlightening beings, which is detached from all abodes and locations, and to appear to live in all states of existence while being ultimately unattached.
“Go to Maitreya and ask how an enlightening being is to seek the practices of enlightening beings, clarify the path of enlightening beings, carry out the studies of enlightening beings, purify the aspiration for enlightenment, accomplish the vows of enlightening beings, establish the provisions of enlightening beings, enter the stages of enlightening beings, fulfill the transcendent ways of enlightening beings, persist in the tolerances of enlightening beings, stabilize the qualities of achievement of enlightening beings, and attend spiritual benefactors.
“Why? Because the enlightening being Maitreya has entered into all practices of enlightening beings; he has reached the goal of aspirations of all enlightening beings; he has comprehended the actions of all beings; he has confronted the developmental guidance of all beings; he has fulfilled all the transcendent ways; he has been through all the stages of enlightening beings; he has attained all the tolerances of enlightening beings; he has attained the certainty of enlightening beings; he has received all the predictions of buddhahood; he has roamed in all the liberations of enlightening beings; he has held the empowerments of all buddhas; he has been anointed by all buddhas with the consecration of the realm of omniscience. As a spiritual benefactor, he will nourish your roots of goodness, increase your determination for enlightenment, make your will firm, purify all your roots of goodness, increase the powers of your enlightening faculties, show you the realm of nonobstruction, bring you into conformity with the stage of universal goodness, introduce you to the means of carrying out all the vows of enlightening beings, describe to you the perfection of the virtues of the practical undertakings of all enlightening beings, and tell you about the practice of universal good.
“You should not develop just one virtue, nor concentrate on clarifying just one doctrine, nor be satisfied with just one practice, nor concentrate on carrying out just one vow, nor take up just one instruction, nor rest in completion, nor think of attaining the three tolerances as ultimate, nor rest upon fulfillment of the six transcendent ways, nor stop on attainment of the ten stages, nor vow to encompass and purify a finite buddha-land, nor be content with attendance on a limited number of spiritual benefactors.
“Why? Because an enlightening being should gather infinite roots of goodness, assemble infinite provisions for enlightenment, produce infinite bases of aspiration for enlightenment, learn infinite principles, extinguish the afflictions of infinite beings, penetrate the minds of infinite beings, know the faculties of infinite beings, work for the emancipation of infinite beings, be aware of the conduct of infinite beings, create guidance for infinite beings, destroy infinite afflictions and their consequences, clear away infinite obstacles caused by actions, put a stop to infinite views, remove infinite mental afflictions, produce infinite mental purities, destroy infinite miseries, evaporate infinite oceans of beings’ cravings, dispel infinite ignorance, bring down infinite mountains of pride, remove infinite bonds of the mundane whirl, evaporate the infinite ocean of birth, cross over infinite torrents of existence, extricate infinite beings stuck in the mud of desire, emancipate infinite beings from the dungeon of the triple world, place infinite beings on the path of sages, extinguish infinite lust, hatred, and delusion, rise above infinite nets of demons, purify infinite will of enlightening beings, increase infinite effort of enlightening beings, produce infinite faculties of enlightening beings, purify infinite resolutions of enlightening beings, enter infinite equanimity of enlightening beings, pursue infinite practices of enlightening beings in their entirety, purify infinite qualities of enlightening beings, fulfill infinite practices of enlightening beings, accord with infinite worldly practices, show infinite adaptations to the world, produce infinite power of faith, stabilize infinite power of vigor, clarify infinite power of mindfulness, purify infinite power of concentration, arouse infinite power of wisdom, stabilize infinite power of resolution, produce infinite power of virtue, expand infinite power of knowledge, establish infinite power of enlightening beings, fulfill infinite power of buddhas, ascertain infinite ways to truth, enter infinite realms of truth, clarify infinite doors to truth, produce infinite lights of truth, create infinite perspectives on truth, illumine infinite groups of faculties, clear away infinite afflictions, collect infinite spiritual medicines, cure sentient beings of infinite sicknesses caused by afflictions, collect infinite stores of immortality elixir, enter infinite buddha-lands, honor infinite buddhas, enter infinite assemblies of enlightening beings, remember infinite instructions of buddhas, endure infinite maliciousness from sentient beings, cut off infinite paths of misfortune, give infinite happiness to sentient beings, create infinite benefit for sentient beings, purify infinite methods of mental command, carry out infinite vows, cultivate infinite powers of universal love and compassion, persist in infinite endeavors in search of truth, pursue infinite powers of meditation, develop infinite mystic knowledge, purify infinite lights of knowledge, go the ways of infinite beings, encompass infinite becoming, appear in infinite different forms, know infinite different languages, comprehend infinite differences in the minds of beings, enter the vast realm of action of enlightening beings, live in the vast palace of enlightening beings, observe the profound state of enlightening beings, awaken to the mysterious realm of enlightening beings, reach the difficult goal of enlightening beings, sustain the hard-to-attain energy of enlightening beings, enter the difficult-of-access certainty of enlightening beings, be aware of the varied practice of enlightening beings, show the ubiquitous miracle of enlightening beings, receive the united multitudes of teachings, spread the infinitely varied network of practices of enlightening beings, fulfill the endless ways of transcendence, receive infinite directions for the future, enter countless doors of tolerance, purify countless stages of enlightenment, purify innumerable ways of access to truth, purify untold buddha-lands, put on spiritual armor for endless eons, serve infinite buddhas, accomplish the undertakings of inconceivable vows.
“In short, the practice of enlightening beings is to perfect all sentient beings, to live in all ages, to manifest birth everywhere in all conditions, to awaken to knowledge of all times past, present, and future, to practice all truths, to purify all lands, to fulfill all vows, to provide for all buddhas, to be one with all enlightening beings in aim, to attain rapport with all spiritual friends.
“Therefore you should not tire of seeking spiritual friends and benefactors, should not weary of meeting spiritual friends and benefactors, should not become complacent about questioning spiritual friends and benefactors, should not give up the determination to contact spiritual friends and benefactors, should not cease striving to respectfully attend spiritual friends and benefactors, should not misconstrue or resist the advice or instruction of spiritual friends and benefactors, should not be irresolute in acquiring the qualities of spiritual friends and benefactors, should not doubt the ways of emancipation shown by spiritual friends and benefactors, should not malign the acts of spiritual friends and benefactors adapting to the world to expedite their work, should not give up increasing pure faith in spiritual friends and benefactors.
“What is the reason for this? It is from spiritual benefactors that enlightening beings learn the practice of enlightening beings; it is through spiritual benefactors that all enlightening beings’ virtues are perfected; spiritual benefactors are the source of the streams of all enlightening beings’ vows; the roots of goodness of all enlightening beings are produced by spiritual benefactors; the provisions for enlightenment are produced by spiritual benefactors; all enlightening beings’ perceptions of truth derive from spiritual benefactors; the purification of all ways to enlightenment derives from spiritual benefactors; the accomplishment of all studies of enlightening beings depends on spiritual benefactors; the virtuous qualities of all enlightening beings are based on spiritual benefactors; the purification of all enlightening beings’ wills is rooted in spiritual benefactors; the steadfastness of determination of all enlightening beings is born of spiritual benefactors; the light of the oceanic mental command and intelligence of all enlightening beings derives from the guidance of spiritual benefactors; the treasuries of ways of purification of enlightening beings are sustained by spiritual benefactors; the lights of knowledge of all enlightening beings are generated by spiritual benefactors; the excellence of vows of all enlightening beings is in the hands of spiritual benefactors; single-mindedness is led by spiritual benefactors; the faith characteristic of the attainment of all enlightening beings has its source in spiritual benefactors; the secrets of all enlightening beings are in the treasury of spiritual benefactors; spiritual benefactors are mines of principles of enlightening beings; the sprouts of power of the faculties of all enlightening beings are fostered by spiritual benefactors; the oceans of knowledge of all enlightening beings are expounded by spiritual benefactors; the treasuries of all enlightening beings are guarded by spiritual benefactors; the accumulations of virtues of all enlightening beings are protected by spiritual benefactors; the purities of life of all enlightening beings are generated by spiritual benefactors; the multitude of teachings for all enlightening beings come from spiritual benefactors; the entries into the paths of emancipation of all enlightening beings are in the keeping of spiritual benefactors; the enlightenment of all buddhas is attained by association with spiritual benefactors; the practice of all enlightening beings is governed by spiritual benefactors; the developments of virtues of all enlightening beings are illumined by spiritual benefactors; the directions followed by all enlightening beings are shown by spiritual benefactors; the greatness of will of all enlightening beings is described by spiritual benefactors; the power of universal love of enlightening beings derives from spiritual benefactors; the power of universal compassion of enlightening beings is generated by spiritual friends; the masteries of all enlightening beings are governed by spiritual benefactors; all elements of enlightenment are produced by spiritual benefactors; the charitable works of all enlightening beings originate from spiritual friends.
“Sustained by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not fall into bad ways; supported by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not fall away from the Great Vehicle; minded by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not overstep the precepts of enlightening beings; guarded by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not come under the sway of bad influences; protected by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not deviate from the laws of enlightening beings; aided by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings go beyond the stage of sentient beings; taught by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not drop into the fall of those who seek individual liberation alone; hidden by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings rise above the world; developed by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings are unstained by mundane things; attended by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings become heedful and alert in all their practices; roused by spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings do not give up their undertakings; assisted by spiritual benefactors, enlightening being become invulnerable to active afflictions; based on the power of spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings cannot be crushed by any demons; in association with spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings develop all the elements of enlightenment.
“What is the reason for this? Spiritual benefactors are those who clear away obstructions, restrain us from evil, teach us what is not to be done, extricate us from folly, dispel ignorance, break the bonds of views, emancipate us from the mundane whirl, cut off attachments to the world, free us from the nets of demons, extract the barbs of suffering, liberate us from the thicket of nescience, convey us across the desert of views, ferry us over the torrents of existence, pull us out of the mud of desire, extricate us from false paths, show the path of enlightening beings, enjoin on us the undertaking of enlightening beings, establish us in spiritual practices, lead the way to omniscience, clarify the eye of wisdom, strengthen the determination for enlightenment, foster universal compassion, tell about enlightening practices, give instruction in the ways of transcendence, direct us into the stages of enlightenment, impart tolerance, engender all roots of goodness, produce all preparations for enlightenment, bestow all virtues of enlightening beings, deliver us to the presence of all buddhas, show all virtuous qualities, inspire us to our goals, enhance efforts and attainments, show the ways to emancipation, protect us from the paths of destruction, illumine the ways to perceive truth, shower multitudes of teachings, extinguish all afflictions, stop the formation of views, and introduce us to all aspects of enlightenment.
“Moreover, spiritual benefactors are mothers, giving birth to the family of buddhas; they are fathers, producing great benefit; they are nurses, protecting us from all evils; they are mentors, elucidating the learning of enlightening beings; they are guides, leading us into the path of transcendence; they are physicians, relieving us of the maladies of afflictions; they are like the Himalaya Mountains, growing the herb of knowledge; they are heroic warriors, protecting us from all perils; they are ferrymen, ferrying us across the torrents of the mundane whirl; they are helmsmen, delivering us to the treasure island of omniscience.
“Therefore, thinking in this way, you should continue to approach spiritual benefactors, with a mind like the earth, bearing all burdens unbendingly; with a mind like adamant, having an unbreakable will; with a mind like a mountain range, impenetrable to all miseries; with a mind like a servant, doing whatever is bidden; with a mind like a student, following all instructions; with a mind like a slave, willing to take on all tasks; with a mind like a nurse, not overcome by afflictions; with a mind like a servant, taking up any task obediently; with a mind like a street cleaner, getting rid of pride and conceit; with a mind like the full moon, appearing at the proper times; with a mind like a good horse, avoiding all unruliness; with a mind like a vehicle, carrying a precious cargo; with a mind like an elephant, tame and docile; with a mind like a mountain, unshakable; with a mind like a dog, not getting angry; with a mind like an outcaste youth, free from arrogance and egotism; with a mind like a bull with its horns cut off, stripped of all haughtiness; with a mind like an apprentice, free from inflated ideas of your own worth; with a mind like a ship, coming and going tirelessly; with a mind like a bridge, crossing over with the directions of spiritual benefactors; with a mind like a good son, looking up to the countenance of spiritual benefactors; with a mind like a prince, carrying out the directives of the spiritual king.
“Think of yourself as sick, and think of spiritual benefactors as physicians; think of their instructions as medicines, and think of the practices as getting rid of disease. Think of yourself as a traveler, and think of spiritual benefactors as guides; think of their instructions as the road, and think of the practices as going to the land of your destination. Think of yourself as crossing over to the other shore, and think of spiritual benefactors as boatmen; think of their instructions as a ford, and think of the practices as a boat. Think of yourself as a farmer, and think of spiritual benefactors as water spirits; think of their instructions as rain, and think of the practices as the ripening of the crops. Think of yourself as a pauper, and think of spiritual benefactors as the givers of wealth; think of their instructions as wealth, and think of the practices as getting rid of poverty. Think of yourself as an apprentice, and think of spiritual benefactors as mentors; think of their instructions as arts, and think of the practices as accomplishments. Think of yourself as fearless, and think of spiritual benefactors as heroic warriors; think of their instructions as attack, and think of the practices as vanquishing enemies. Think of yourself as a merchant, and think of spiritual benefactors as ship captains; think of their instructions as treasure, and think of the practices as obtaining treasures. Think of yourself as a good son, and think of spiritual benefactors as parents; think of their instructions as the family business, and think of the practices as the perpetuation of the family business. Think of yourself as a prince, and think of spiritual benefactors as the chief ministers of a spiritual king; think of their instructions as the precepts of kingship, and think of the practices as putting on the turban of truth adorned with the crest of knowledge and overseeing the capital of the spiritual sovereign.
“You should approach spiritual benefactors with these thoughts in mind. Why? With their attitude toward spiritual benefactors purified in this way, practicing the instructions of spiritual benefactors, enlightening beings grow in goodness, like plants, bushes, and trees growing up the mountains; they become vessels of all buddha-teachings, as the oceans are of water; they become repositories of all virtues, as the seas are of pearls; they purify the determination for enlightenment, as fire does gold; they rise above the world, like the polar mountain over the sea; they become unstained by things of the world, like a lotus in water; they reject all bad actions, as the ocean throws up a corpse; they increase in good qualities, as the moon grows brighter as it waxes; they illumine the reality realm, as the sun does the earth; they grow the bodies of vows of enlightening beings, just as children grow in the care of their parents.
“In short, enlightening beings who have put the instruction of spiritual benefactors into effect embody untold virtues, purify untold resolutions, develop untold enlightening faculties, purify untold mystic powers, perfect untold worthy practices, get beyond untold demons, abide by untold ways to truth, fulfill untold ways of purifying virtue and knowledge, fulfill untold deeds, purify untold modes of conduct, carry out untold vows.
“In sum, all practices of enlightening beings, all transcendent ways of enlightening beings, all stages of enlightening beings, all concentrations of enlightening beings, all mystic knowledges and spiritual powers of enlightening beings, all manifestations of mental command and intellectual power of enlightening beings, all knowledge of dedication and infinity of superknowledge of enlightening beings, all accomplishments of vows of enlightening beings, and all perfections of attainments of all aspects of buddhahood, derive from spiritual benefactors, are rooted in spiritual benefactors, are born of spiritual benefactors, are fostered by spiritual benefactors, are based on spiritual benefactors, are caused by spiritual benefactors, are produced by spiritual benefactors.”
Now Sudhana, hearing about the virtues and qualities of spiritual benefactors, about the infinity of practice of enlightening beings, and the vastness of the buddha-teaching, was thoroughly delighted and uplifted in mind. He then paid his respects again to the boy Shrisambhava and the girl Shrimati and took his leave.
References 参考资料:
- 《华严经》 Avatamsaka Sūtra
- 善财童子五十三参原文、白话故事、图片 – 弘善佛教网
- The Flower Ornament Scripture A Translation Of The Avatamsaka Sutra By Thomas Cleary : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
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