A Kind Mentor –8
Hello, dear listeners! Welcome to this episode of the podcast, brought to you by the Australia Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated.
The Avatamsaka Sutra states:
Meeting a Kind Mentor, I am never satiated; drawing near them, I am never weary; offering to them, I am never lax; serving them, I feel no distress. Seeking a Kind Mentor, I never retreat; cherishing and remembering them, I never let go; attending to them, I never pause; gazing upon them, I never rest; following their teachings, I never slacken; upholding their intentions, I never err.
Through the protection and guidance of a Kind Mentor, I behold the path to all-knowing wisdom. I never cease to cherish and admire their vision, never falter in my reverence for their heart, always follow their teachings with devotion, steadfastly believe in their words, and constantly resolve to serve them with a profound heart.
The skillful and expedient wisdom of Bodhisattvas is inconceivable; their wisdom in embracing beings is inconceivable; their wisdom in protecting beings is inconceivable; their wisdom in ripening beings is inconceivable; their wisdom in guarding beings is inconceivable; their wisdom in liberating beings is inconceivable; their wisdom in taming beings is inconceivable.
Dear friends, meeting a Kind Mentor is like an endless feast, our hearts always yearning for more of their teachings. Drawing near them is a journey without fatigue, our steps never faltering no matter how far the path. Offering to them is a devotion that never wanes, gladly giving our very best. Serving them brings a joy free of regret, filled only with gratitude and peace. In seeking a Kind Mentor, we never turn back, undeterred by any hardship; cherishing their grace, we hold them like a treasure, never letting go; attending to them, we never rest, always regarding them as our refuge; gazing upon their presence, we remain focused, never distracted; following their teachings, we never grow lazy, always practicing with diligence; upholding their intentions, we stay steadfast, never allowing the slightest error to taint our sincerity.
Through the guidance of a Kind Mentor, we glimpse the path to all-knowing wisdom. Their teachings are like spring rain, gently washing away the dust of ignorance; their guidance is like a breeze through the forest, pointing us forward. With deep admiration and reverence, we guard our respect for them, follow their teachings with devotion, trust their every word, and dedicate our whole being to serving them. Their presence is our greatest blessing, a bridge to awakening, a spark that ignites our hearts.
The wisdom of a Kind Mentor is beyond comprehension. With skillful means, they embrace each being, teaching according to their needs, guiding every heart back to the true path. With boundless virtue, they protect beings from straying into delusion. With profound wisdom, they nurture the roots of virtue, leading beings toward awakening. With infinite compassion, they bear the suffering of others, taming afflictions and guiding beings out of the bitter sea of samsara. Their wisdom is like the vast expanse of space, unfathomable and boundless, ceaselessly benefiting all beings.
With gratitude to our Kind Mentors, thank you for listening!
