Milky Way over Half-Dome

(Niwano – 4}

last of this series

It is in these pages I read words that forever changed my way of thinking and view life: Nichiren’s, life at each moment permeates the universe and is revealed in all phenomena, while traveling on a bus to a temp job in downtown L.A. in 1976;  Niwano’s cause to live, sitting on the terrace surrounded by geraniums in a friend’s apartment in San Francisco in 1982.

Mind – Desire to Live

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

  Shakyamuni Buddha expounded the doctrine of dependent origination, meaning that all phenomena are produced by causation – a thing arises from or is produced through a cause. A thing does not take form unless there is an appropriate condition. This truth applies to all existence and phenomena in the universe. The Buddha perceived this so profoundly that even modern science cannot probe further.

  Thinking this, our lives may seem to be capricious. . . to  indicate that all things are  products of mere chance. But this is not so. When we look carefully at things around us, we find that water, stone, and human beings are produced each according to a certain pattern with its own individual character.

  Through what power or direction are the conditions that  produce various things in perfect order from such an amorphous energy? When we consider this regularity and order, we cannot help admitting that some rule exists. It is the rule that causes all things to exist. This is indeed the Law taught by the Buddha.

  We do not exist accidentally, but exist and live by means of this Law. As soon as we realize this fact, we become aware of our firm foundation and can set our minds at ease. Far from being capricious, this foundation rests on the Law with which nothing can compare. This assurance is the source of the great peace of mind that is not agitated by anything. It is the Law that imparts life to us all. The Law is not something cold but is full of  vigor and vivid with life.

  Just consider that billions of years ago, the earth had no life . . . when the earth cooled about two billion years ago, microscopic one-celled living creatures were produced through the working of the Law. They were born when the energy forming the foundation of lava, gas, and vapor came into contact with appropriate conditions—the Law providing the conditions for the generation of life. From this we realize the Law is  not cold, a mere abstract rule, but full of vivid power causing everything to exist and live.

  Conversely everything has the power of desiring to exist and live. Two billion years ago, even lava, gas, and vapor possessed the urge to live. That’s why one-celled creatures were generated from them when conditions became right. These infinitesimal creatures endured all kinds of trials . . . extreme heat and cold, tremendous floods, terrestrial rains, for about two billion years, and continued to live, gradually evolving into more  sophisticated forms, culminating in human beings.

  This evolution was caused by the will to live. . . Life had mind through which it desired to live even before it existed on earth. Such a will still exists in everything in the universe. This will exists in humans today.

  From the scientific point of view, humans are formed by a combination of elementary particles; and if we analyze this still more deeply, we see that humans are an accumulation of energy.

  Therefore the  mind desiring to live must surely exist in humans.

  However, this is a mind so deep that we cannot grasp, isolate, or control it. It is the mind existing in the origin of life, even deeper than the subconscious mind. What is the  mind that desires to live? We cannot isolate it by means of science or explain it by some theory. . . Philosophers have  attempted to explain it as “the blind will toward life.” We can call it, “the universal will” or “universal life.” We can also describe it as “the power that makes everything live” or “the rule that makes everything exist.”

  Shakyamuni Buddha  taught this point in the following way: all things in the universe are emptiness—void, and they are produced and annihilated by a cause. Nothing exists in a fixed eternal form.

  Only the Law permeating them—Mind, “Buddha,” the power that makes everything live is eternal. When we realize the truth and power that makes all of us live, we “see the Buddha.”  ////

  “Life at each moment encompasses both body and spirit and both self and environment of all sentient beings in every condition of life, as well as insentient beings—plants, sky and earth, on down to the most minute particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the universe and is revealed in all phenomena. Those awakened to this truth, themselves embody this relationship.” – Nichiren in a letter to Toki Jonin, 1255.

  for the transitory and eternal can only be seen in each other.

Milky Way Over Half-Dome

(Niwano – 4}

last of this series

It is in these pages I read words that forever changed my way of thinking and view life: Nichiren’s, life at each moment permeates the universe and is revealed in all phenomena, while traveling on a bus to a temp job in downtown L.A. in 1976;  Niwano’s cause to live, sitting on the terrace surrounded by geraniums in a friend’s apartment in San Francisco in 1982.

Es en estas páginas que leí las palabras que cambiaron para siempre mi forma de pensar y visión de la vida: de Nichiren, la vida en cada momento impregna el universo y se revela en todos los fenómenos, mientras viajaba en un autobús a un trabajo temporal en el centro de Los Ángeles en 1976; La causa de Niwano para vivir, sentado en la terraza rodeada de geranios en el apartamento de un amigo en San Francisco en 1982.

Mind – Desire to Live

Mente – deseo de vivir

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

Shakyamuni Buddha expounded the doctrine of dependent origination, meaning that all phenomena are produced by causation – a thing arises from or is produced through a cause. A thing does not take form unless there is an appropriate condition. This truth applies to all existence and phenomena in the universe. The Buddha perceived this so profoundly that even modern science cannot probe further.

Buda Shakyamuni expuso la doctrina del origen dependiente, lo que significa que todos los fenómenos son producidos por causalidad - una cosa surge o se produce a través de una causa. Una cosa no toma forma a menos que haya una condición adecuada. Esta verdad se aplica a toda la existencia y fenómenos en el universo. El Buda percibe esta tan profundamente que incluso la ciencia moderna no puede investigar más.

Thinking this, our lives may seem to be capricious. . . to  indicate that all things are  products of mere chance. But this is not so. When we look carefully at things around us, we find that water, stone, and human beings are produced each according to a certain pattern with its own individual character.

Pensando en esto, nuestras vidas pueden parecer caprichosa. . . para indicar que todas las cosas son producto de la casualidad. Pero esto no es así. Cuando miramos con atención las cosas que nos rodean, nos encontramos con que el agua, piedra, y los seres humanos se producen cada de acuerdo con un cierto patrón con su propio carácter individual

Through what power or direction are the conditions that  produce various things in perfect order from such an amorphous energy? When we consider this regularity and order, we cannot help admitting that some rule exists. It is the rule that causes all things to exist. This is indeed the Law taught by the Buddha.

A través de lo que el poder o la dirección son las condiciones que producen varias cosas en perfecto orden de una energía tan amorfo? Cuando consideramos esta regularidad y el orden, no podemos dejar de admitir que existe alguna regla. Es la regla que hace que todas las cosas existen. Este es de hecho la Ley enseñada por el Buda.

We do not exist accidentally, but exist and live by means of this Law. As soon as we realize this fact, we become aware of our firm foundation and can set our minds at ease. Far from being capricious, this foundation rests on the Law with which nothing can compare. This assurance is the source of the great peace of mind that is not agitated by anything. It is the Law that imparts life to us all. The Law is not something cold but is full of  vigor and vivid with life.

No existimos por casualidad, pero existimos y vivimos por medio de la presente Ley. Tan pronto como nos damos cuenta de este hecho, nos damos cuenta de nuestra fundación firme y podemos poner nuestras mentes en la facilidad. Lejos de ser caprichosa, esta fundación se basa en la Ley con la que nada se puede comparar. Esta seguridad es la fuente de la gran paz de la mente que no está agitado por nada. Es la Ley que imparte vida para todos nosotros. La Ley no es algo frío, pero está llena de vigor y vivo con la vida.

Just consider that billions of years ago, the earth had no life . . . when the earth cooled about two billion years ago, microscopic one-celled living creatures were produced through the working of the Law. They were born when the energy forming the foundation of lava, gas, and vapor came into contact with appropriate conditions—the Law providing the conditions for the generation of life. From this we realize the Law is  not cold, a mere abstract rule, but full of vivid power causing everything to exist and live.

Sólo considere que, hace miles de millones de años, la tierra no tenía vida. . . cuando la tierra se enfrió hace unos dos millones de años, los seres vivos microscópicos unicelulares fueron producidos por el funcionamiento de la Ley. Nacieron cuando la energía que forma la base de la lava, gases y vapor entró en contacto con las condiciones adecuadas, la Ley proporciona las condiciones para la generación de la vida. De esto podemos darnos cuenta de la Ley no es frío, una mera regla abstracta, pero lleno de fuerza viva que causa todo lo que existe y vive.

Conversely everything has the power of desiring to exist and live. Two billion years ago, even lava, gas, and vapor possessed the urge to live. That’s why one-celled creatures were generated from them when conditions became right. These infinitesimal creatures endured all kinds of trials . . . extreme heat and cold, tremendous floods, terrestrial rains, for about two billion years, and continued to live, gradually evolving into more  sophisticated forms, culminating in human beings.

Por el contrario todo tiene el poder de desear a existir y vivir. Hace dos millones de años, incluso de lava, gases y vapor poseían las ganas de vivir. Es por eso que las criaturas unicelulares fueron generados a partir de ellos cuando las condiciones se hicieron bien. Estas criaturas infinitesimales soportaron todo tipo de ensayos. . . calor y frío extremos, tremendas inundaciones, las lluvias terrestres, por cerca de dos millones de años, y continuaron viviendo, evolucionando gradualmente hacia formas más sofisticadas, que culminó en los seres humanos.

This evolution was caused by the will to live. . . Life had mind through which it desired to live even before it existed on earth. Such a will still exists in everything in the universe. This will exists in humans today.

Esta evolución se debe a la voluntad de vivir. . . La vida tenía la mente a través del cual desea vivir incluso antes de que existiera en la tierra. Tal voluntad todavía existe en todo el universo. Esta voluntad existe en los seres humanos en la actualidad.

From the scientific point of view, humans are formed by a combination of elementary particles; and if we analyze this still more deeply, we see that humans are an accumulation of energy.

Desde el punto de vista científico, los seres humanos están formados por una combinación de partículas elementales; y si analizamos esto aún más profundamente, vemos que los seres humanos son una acumulación de energía.

Therefore the  mind desiring to live must surely exist in humans.

Por lo tanto la mente el deseo de vivir debe existir duda en los seres humanos.

However, this is a mind so deep that we cannot grasp, isolate, or control it. It is the mind existing in the origin of life, even deeper than the subconscious mind. What is the  mind that desires to live? We cannot isolate it by means of science or explain it by some theory. . . Philosophers have  attempted to explain it as “the blind will toward life.” We can call it, “the universal will” or “universal life.” We can also describe it as “the power that makes everything live” or “the rule that makes everything exit.”

Sin embargo, esta es una mente tan profunda que no podemos comprender, aislar, o controlarlo. Es la mente la que existe en el origen de la vida, incluso más allá de la mente subconsciente. ¿Qué es la mente la que desea vivir? No podemos aislarlo por medio de la ciencia o explicarlo por alguna teoría. . . Los filósofos han tratado de explicarlo como "la voluntad ciega hacia la vida." Podemos llamarlo, "la voluntad universal" o "la vida universal." También podemos describirlo como "el poder que hace que todo sea en vivo" o "la regla de que hace que todo salga ".

Shakyamuni Buddha  taught this point in the following way: all things in the universe are emptiness—void, and they are produced and annihilated by a cause. Nothing exists in a fixed eternal form.

Shakyamuni Buda enseñó este punto de la siguiente manera: todas las cosas en el universo son el vacío nulo, y que se producen y aniquilados por una causa. Nada existe en una forma eterna fijo.

Only the Law permeating them—Mind, “Buddha,” the power that makes everything live is eternal. When we realize the truth and power that makes all of us live, we “see the Buddha.”  ////

Sólo la Ley impregnarlas a-Mente, "Buda", el poder que hace que todo lo vivo es eterna. Cuando nos damos cuenta de la verdad y el poder que hace que todos nosotros vivimos, "vemos que el Buda." ////

“Life at each moment encompasses both body and spirit and both self and environment of all sentient beings in every condition of life, as well as insentient beings—plants, sky and earth, on down to the most minute particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the universe and is revealed in all phenomena. Those awakened to this truth, themselves embody this relationship.” – Nichiren in a letter to Toki Jonin, 1255.

"La vida a cada momento abarca el cuerpo y el espíritu y tanto uno mismo y el medio ambiente de todos los seres sensibles en todas las condiciones de la vida, así como los seres insensibles-plantas, el cielo y la tierra, hacia abajo a las partículas más diminutas de polvo. La vida a cada momento impregna el universo y se revela en todos los fenómenos. Aquellos despertado a esta verdad, ellos encarnan esta relación. "- Nichiren en una carta a Toki Jonin, 1255.

for the transitory and eternal can only be seen in each other – de lo transitorio y eterno sólo puede ser visto en el otro.

Aurora Borealis

(Niwano – 3)

All things are equal

produced from the same energy or force.

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

  [Most people today] are apt to doubt such concepts as the Law and “that which causes everything to live” as mere ideas produced by religious leaders. But they should think of the composition of  all physical substances as elucidated by nuclear physics: all substances in this universe are composed of electrons, protons, neutrons, and other subatomic particles, and the differences between various substances are caused by different combinations of these basic particles.

  Granted that subatomic particles are regarded as the minimum units of matter, so long as such particles exist as matter, as things, they should be still further divisible. However, modern science cannot do this, so scientists say that these elemental particles are produced by “energy.”

  Energy is generally considered as “the force through which matter functions.” But before matter can function there must already exist the energy that produces matter. . . .

  We cannot see energy with our naked eyes or otherwise discern it as a physical entity. Energy seems at first to be “nothingness,” but it does exist and it is a kind of matter. The accumulation of this “kind of matter” produces such particles as electrons, protons, and neutrons. The accumulation of these particles produces various kinds of atoms. The accumulation of these atoms produces such elements as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. The accumulation of these elements produces air, water, minerals, plants, and the human body. Thus, matter is originally produced from a kind of energy, or force.

. . . [paragraph about time . . .]

  Shakyamuni Buddha however taught about matter correctly more than two thousand years ago. He proclaimed it as “emptiness” or “void.” This does not mean “nothingness” but “equality”- [even as] “phenomenon”  indicating the idea that all things, including matter, the human mind, and events, originate from the same foundation. Though these things seem to be different from one another in the eyes of humans, their real state is equal.

  When analyzed to the utmost possible limit, all things are equal because they are energy (force) of some kind. . . In short all  phenomena are produced from an equal kind of energy or force.

Next – Evolution caused by the urge to live – life had mind through which it desired to live.

Aurora Borealis -Norway

(Niwano – 3)

All things are equal

produced from the same energy or force.

Todas las cosas son iguales

producido a partir de la misma energía o fuerza.

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

  [Most people today] are apt to doubt such concepts as the Law and “that which causes everything to live” as mere ideas produced by religious leaders. But they should think of the composition of  all physical substances as elucidated by nuclear physics: all substances in this universe are composed of electrons, protons, neutrons, and other subatomic particles, and the differences between various substances are caused by different combinations of these basic particles.

  [La mayoría de las personas hoy en día] tienden a dudar de conceptos tales como la Ley y "lo que hace que todo lo que vivir" como meras ideas producidas por los líderes religiosos. Pero deben pensar en la composición de todas las sustancias físicas como dilucidado por la física nuclear: todas las sustancias de este universo están compuestos de electrones, protones, neutrones y otras partículas subatómicas, y las diferencias entre diversas sustancias son causados por diferentes combinaciones de éstos básica partículas.

  Granted that subatomic particles are regarded as the minimum units of matter, so long as such particles exist as matter, as things, they should be still further divisible. However, modern science cannot do this, so scientists say that these elemental particles are produced by “energy.” Energy is generally considered as “the force through which matter functions.” But before matter can function there must already exist the energy that produces matter. . .

  Concedido que las partículas subatómicas son considerados como las unidades mínimas de la materia, siempre y cuando existan tales partículas como materia, como las cosas, deben ser aún más divisible. Sin embargo, la ciencia moderna no puede hacer esto, por lo que los científicos dicen que estas partículas elementales son producidos por "energía." La energía es generalmente considerado como "la fuerza a través del cual importa funciones." Pero antes de que la materia puede funcionar no debe existir la energía que produce la materia . . .

  We cannot see energy with our naked eyes or otherwise discern it as a physical entity. Energy seems at first to be “nothingness,” but it does exist and it is a kind of matter. The accumulation of this “kind of matter” produces such particles as electrons, protons, and neutrons. The accumulation of these particles produces various kinds of atoms. The accumulation of these atoms produces such elements as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. The accumulation of these elements produces air, water, minerals, plants, and the human body. Thus, matter is originally produced from a kind of energy, or force. [paragraph about time . . .]

  No podemos ver la energía con nuestros ojos desnudos o de otra manera discernirlo como una entidad física. Energía parece al principio ser "nada", pero existe y es un tipo de materia. La acumulación de este "tipo de materia" produce partículas tales como electrones, protones y neutrones. La acumulación de estas partículas produce varios tipos de átomos. La acumulación de estos átomos produce elementos tales como hidrógeno, oxígeno y carbono. La acumulación de estos elementos produce aire, agua, minerales, plantas, y el cuerpo humano. Por lo tanto, la materia se produce originalmente de un tipo de energía o fuerza. [párrafo sobre el tiempo. . .]

  Shakyamuni Buddha however taught about matter correctly more than two thousand years ago. He proclaimed it as “emptiness” or “void.” This does not mean “nothingness” but “equality”- [even as] “phenomenon”  indicating the idea that all things, including matter, the human mind, and events, originate from the same foundation. Though these things seem to be different from one another in the eyes of humans, their real state is equal.

  Buda Shakyamuni embargo enseñó acerca de la materia correctamente hace más de dos mil años. Él proclamó como "vacío" o Esto no significa "nada," pero "la igualdad" "vacío” - [Incluso] "fenómeno" que indica la idea de que todas las cosas, incluyendo la materia, la mente humana, y los acontecimientos, se originan de la misma fundación. Aunque estas cosas parecen ser diferentes uno de otro en los ojos de los seres humanos, su estado real es igual.

  When analyzed to the utmost possible limit, all things are equal because they are energy (force) of some kind. . . In short all  phenomena are produced from an equal kind of energy or force.

  Cuando se analizó el límite máximo posible, todas las cosas son iguales, ya que son la energía (fuerza) de algún tipo. . . En resumen todos los fenómenos son producidos a partir de un tipo igual de energía o fuerza.

Next – Evolution caused by the urge to live – life had mind through which it desired to live.

Siguiente - Evolución causada por las ganas de vivir - la vida tenía la mente a través del cual desea vivir.

(Niwano – 2)

The Highest Form of Religion

absolute devotion to the truth that imparts life to us

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

  In what way can we gain such consciousness [the true mental peace that is not disturbed by anything?] Needless to say, the way is to study the teachings of the Buddha repeatedly and to root them deeply in our minds by meditating on them, keeping firmly in mind the realization that our lives should be unified with the universal life (the Buddha). This indeed is meditation from the religious point of view. Through this kind of meditation, we can purify even the mind of which we cannot be conscious ourselves, that is our subconscious mind, and we can make our thought and conduct harmonize spontaneously with our surroundings. If our thought and conduct are in harmony with our surroundings, sufferings and worries cannot trouble us. This mental state is true peace of mind, the stage of “Nirvana is quiescence,” the absolutely quiet stage in which we cling to nothing.

  This state of mind is not limited to a passive mental peace. Our consciousness of being enlivened by this great universal life gives us great hope and courage. Energy springs from this consciousness so that we advance to carry out our daily lives, our work, and our bodhisattva-way for the benefit of others in this world.

  Our awareness of being caused to live is our great salvation. Our absolute devotion to the truth that imparts  life to us . . .  to take refuge in the Law wholeheartedly with utter faith and trust. . . [Here Niwano extols the practice of all followers of the Lotus Sutra as originated by the 13^th Century Priest, Nichiren] . . . we do not worship a thing, a person, a spirit, or a god existing outside ourselves, but devote ourselves to the Law which causes us to live and unites us with it with our entire heart and mind—this is the purest and the supreme faith . . . No form of religion is purer than this . . .

Next -  Considering nuclear physics, energy and matter

“What then should we depend on?”
Notes from Nikkyo Niwano (1)

Buddhism for Today, A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Nikkyo Niwano; John Weatherhill, Inc., New York and Tokyo; and Kosei Publishing Company, Tokyo. Copyright 1961, 1976 by Kosei Publishing Company.  [Kojiro Miyasaka’s English translation very slightly amended] – from Chapter 16, The Life of the Tathagata:

  What then should we depend upon for our salvation? Here we must here remember the Buddha’s teaching, “Make yourself the light, make the Law your light,” the words Shakyamuni spoke to Ananda, one of his ten great disciples [also his cousin] before dying. Ananda felt anxious, reflecting, “When the World-honored One who is an unparalleled leader and teacher, dies, who on earth should we depend upon in our practice and life? In response to Ananda’s anxiety, the Buddha taught him as follows:

  “In the future you should make yourself your light and depend on your own self. You must not depend on other people. You should also make the Law your light and depend upon the Law. You must not depend upon others.”

  There is no better teaching than this to sum up the essence of a right religion in a few words. The Buddha first taught, “You can depend upon your own self.” When we depend upon other people, we do not know what to do if we are forsaken by them or if they disappear. Therefore the Buddha admonished us to depend upon ourselves and walk the Way through our own efforts.

  But what should we depend upon in living our lives? The Buddha taught that this is nothing other than the Law, namely, the truth, and that we must not depend absolutely upon others, Here the word “others” means “gods,” being who are considered to exist and to be our masters. The Buddha taught emphatically that we must not depend upon such gods, but only upon the Law, the truth.

  [Note from dfs, the guy above driving the car – When Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” Jesus is silent and doesn’t answer, after which Pilate says, “I find no fault in this man.”]

  Indeed, his words carry great weight. A single word of the teaching “Make the self your light, make the Law your light” is more valuable than all the innumerable teachings concerning human life and religion that have been promulgated by the many great persons of past ages.

  Through this teaching we understand that what we depend on, the Law, exists both within and outside us. It is the truth that permeates the entire universe, not establishing a distinction between inside and outside. Our body is produced by this truth and is caused to live by it. Our mind is also produced by it and caused to work by it. All things, including society, the earth and sky, plants, birds and beasts, are produced by this truth and are caused to live by it.

  A person who feels the word “truth” to be somewhat cold and abstract can replace it with the term “the great life,” which makes everything in this world exist and live. When we are firmly aware in the depths of our mind that we are given life by the great life that permeates the universe, we can obtain the true mental peace that is not disturbed by anything.

Next – In what way can we gain such consciousness?

Ending all fear

  The Buddha had no religion, he did not teach “Buddhism.”  In the Lotus Sutra when the father gets all his children out of the burning house, he reveals he is like this father, desiring all people to become like him—fearless, ever seeking the good, benefiting all beings—knowing that “all the living” possess this capability, realized once they enter “the Buddha way.”

  “The Buddha said to Shariputra, "Good! Good! It is even as you say, Shariputra! The Tathagata is also like this, for he is father of all worlds who has forever entirely ended all fear, despondency, distress, ignorance, and umbrageous darkness and has perfected boundless knowledge, powers, and fearlessness; is possessed of great spiritual power and wisdom; has completely attained the virtues of tactfulness and wisdom; who is the greatly merciful and greatly compassionate, ever tireless, ever seeking the good, and benefiting all beings.

  "I am the father of all creatures and I must snatch them from suffering and give them the bliss of the infinite, boundless Buddha-wisdom for them to play with.

  "As long as these creatures have never escaped birth, old age, disease, death, grief, and suffering, but are being burned in the burning house of the triple world, how can they understand the Buddha-wisdom?

  "Know ye! all these three vehicles are praised by sages; in them you will be free and independent, without wanting to rely on anything else. Riding in these three vehicles [learning, self-awareness, world of compassion], by means of perfect faculties, powers, perceptions of the seven degrees of intelligence, ways, concentrations, emancipations, and contempla­tions, you will as a matter of course be happy and gain infinite peace and joy."