‘Sudhana, to accommodate and benefit all living beings is explained like this: throughout the oceans of worlds in the ten directions exhausting the Dharma Realm and the realm of empty space, there are many different kinds of living beings. That is to say, there are those born from eggs, the womb-born, the transformationally born, as well as those who live and rely on earth, water, fire, and air for their existence. There are beings dwelling in space, and those who are born in and live in plants and trees. This includes all the many species and races with their diverse bodies, shapes, appearances, lifespans, families, names, and natures. This includes their many varieties of knowledge and views, their various desires and pleasures, their thoughts and deeds, and their many different deportments, clothing and diets.
复次善男子，言恒顺众生者，谓尽法界、虚空界、十方刹海，所有众生种种差别。所谓卵生、胎生、湿生、化生，或有依于地水火风而生住者，或有依空及诸卉木而生住者，种种生类，种种色身，种种形状，种种相貌，种种寿量，种种族类，种种名号，种种心性，种种知见，种种欲乐，种种意行，种种威仪，种种衣服，种种饮食。
‘It includes beings who dwell in different villages, towns, cities and palaces, as well as gods, dragons, and others of the eight divisions, humans and non-humans alike. Also there are footless beings, beings with two feet, four feet, and many feet, with form and without form, with thought and without thought, and not entirely with thought and not entirely without thought. I will accord with and take care of all these many kinds of beings, providing all manner of services and offerings for them. I will treat them with the same respect I show my own parents, teachers, elders, Arhats, and even the Thus Come Ones. I will serve them all equally without difference.
处于种种村营聚落、城邑宫殿，乃至一切天龙八部，人、非人等，无足二足，四足多足，有色无色、有想无想，非有想、非无想，如是等类，我皆于彼随顺而转，种种承事，种种供养，如敬父母，如奉师长及阿罗汉，乃至如来，等无有异。
‘I will be a good doctor for the sick and suffering. I will lead those who have lost their way to the right road. I will be a bright light for those in the dark night, and cause the poor and destitute to uncover hidden treasures.The Bodhisattva impartially benefits all living beings in this manner.
于诸病苦，为作良医；于失道者，示其正路；于闇夜中，为作光明；于贫穷者，令得伏藏。菩萨如是平等饶益一切众生。
‘Why is this? If a Bodhisattva accords with living beings, then he accords with and makes offerings to all Buddhas. If he can honor and serve living beings, then he honors and serves the Thus Come Ones. If he makes living beings happy, he is making all Thus Come Ones happy.
何以故？若菩萨能随顺众生，则为随顺供养诸佛；若于众生尊重承事，则为尊重承事如来；若令众生欢喜者，则令一切如来欢喜。
Why is this? It is because all Buddhas, Thus Come Ones, take the Mind of Great Compassion as their substance. Because of living beings, they develop Great Compassion. From Great Compassion the Bodhi Mind is born; and because of the Bodhi Mind, they accomplish Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment.
何以故？诸佛如来，以大悲心而为体故。因于众生而起大悲，因于大悲。生菩提心，因菩提心成等正觉。
‘It is like a great regal tree growing in the rocks and sand of barren wilderness. When the roots get water, the branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits will all flourish. The regal bodhi-tree growing in the wilderness of Birth and Death is the same. All living beings are its roots; all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are its flowers and fruits. By benefitting all beings with the water of Great Compassion, one can realize the flowers and fruits of the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas’ wisdom.
譬如旷野沙碛之中，有大树王，若根得水，枝叶华果悉皆繁茂。生死旷野菩提树王，亦复如是。一切众生而为树根，诸佛菩萨而为华果，以大悲水饶益众生，则能成就诸佛菩萨智慧华果。
‘Why is this? It is because by benefitting living beings with the water of Great Compassion, the Bodhisattvas can attain Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment. Therefore, Bodhi belongs to living beings. Without living beings, no Bodhisattva could achieve Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment.
何以故？若诸菩萨以大悲水饶益众生，则能成就阿耨多罗三藐三菩提故。是故菩提属于众生，若无众生，一切菩萨终不能成无上正觉。
‘Good man, you should understand these principles in this way: When the mind is impartial towards all living beings, one can accomplish full and perfect Great Compassion. By using the Mind of Great Compassion to accord with living beings, one perfects the making of offerings to the Thus Come Ones. In this way the Bodhisattva constantly accords with living beings.
善男子，汝于此义，应如是解。以于众生心平等故，则能成就圆满大悲；以大悲心随众生故，则能成就供养如来。菩萨如是随顺众生。
‘Even when the realm of empty space is exhausted, the realms of living beings are exhausted, the karma of living beings is exhausted, and the afflictions of living beings are exhausted, I will still accord endlessly, continuously in thought after thought without cease. My body, mouth, and mind never weary of these deeds.
虚空界尽，众生界尽，众生业尽，众生烦恼尽，我此随顺无有穷尽，念念相续无有间断，身语意业无有疲厌。
End
