79. Paramita of Discipline II — The Scope of Bodhisattva’s Pure Conducts

The Beginning

Take refuge and arouse bodhicitta.

The Main Part

The Avatamsaka Sutra describes the pure conduct of Bodhisattvas:

When entering a house, they should wish that all beings enter the city of liberation.

When going to sleep, they should wish that all beings attain the Dharmakaya of the Buddha.

When dreaming dreams, they should wish that all beings realize all phenomena are dreamlike.

When fastening their belt, they should wish that all beings bundle roots of goodness and auspicious connections.

Sitting on a cushion, they should wish that all beings ascend to the Vajra Seat.

When lighting a fire, they should wish that all beings incinerate the firewood of mental afflictions.

When the fire starts blazing, they should wish that all beings make the wisdom light ablaze.

When the meal is ready, they should wish that all beings savor the amrita of wisdom.

When eating, they should wish that all beings be nourished by the food of samadhi.

When going out, they should wish that all beings attain liberation from samsara.

When stepping downstairs, they should vow to enter samsara in order to benefit sentient beings.

When opening a door, they should wish that all beings open the door of liberation.

When closing a door, they should wish that all beings close the door to miserable rebirths.

When on the road, they should wish that all beings tread the path of sacred Dharma.

When going uphill, they should wish that all beings enjoy the happiness of higher realms.

When going downhill, they should wish that all beings put an end to the three lower realms.

When meeting people, they should wish that all beings meet the Buddha in person.

When lowering their feet, they should wish that all beings be benefited by their actions.

When raising their legs, they should wish that all beings uproot samsara.

Seeing people wearing ornaments, they should wish that all beings be adorned with the Buddha’s thirty-two marks of distinction.

Seeing the unadorned, they should wish that all beings practice austerity and develop pure qualities.

Seeing a full bowl, they should wish that all beings completely fulfill all virtuous ways.

Seeing an empty bowl, they should wish that all beings be pure of heart and devoid of afflictions.

Seeing people attached to something, they should wish that all beings delight themselves in the Dharma.

Seeing the unattached, they should wish that all beings care not for fabricated things.

Seeing happy people, they should wish that all beings reach the peaceful and blissful state of the Buddhas.

Seeing miserable people, they should wish that all beings be removed from all sufferings.

Seeing people sick, they should wish that all beings be free from illness.

Seeing grateful people, they should wish that all beings repay the kindness of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Seeing ungrateful people, they should wish that all beings not increase the punishment of those who are bad.

When seeing opponents, they should wish that all beings be able to refute all erroneous doctrines.

When seeing things praised, they should wish that all beings praise all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Seeing people expounding the Dharma, they should wish that all beings attain the eloquence of the Buddha.

When seeing an image of the Buddha, they should wish that all beings attain unhindered vision and behold the Buddhas.

Seeing a stupa, they should wish that all beings become worthy objects of respect and offering.

Seeing people in commerce, they should wish that all beings possess the seven noble riches of the sage.

Seeing people prostrating, they should wish that all beings attain the unfathomable crown protuberance (ushnisha) of the Buddha, the teacher of gods and humans.

According to Avatamsaka Sutra , any and all of our daily activities should be made into aspirations of benefiting or liberating sentient beings. Serious practitioners will practice the contemplation accordingly; lesser ones perhaps will dally for merely a day or two.

The Ending

Dedicate the merit of your practice to all sentient beings.