3. The Bodhisattva Vow
The Buddha said to Subhuti: “The bodhisattvas and mahasattvas should thus subdue their thoughts: All the different types of sentient beings, whether they are born from eggs, from wombs, from moisture, or by transformation; whether or not they have form; whether they have thoughts or no thoughts, or have neither thought nor non-thought, I will liberate them by leading them to nirvana without residue. When immeasurable, countless, infinite numbers of sentient beings have been liberated, in reality, no sentient beings have been liberated. Why is this so? Subhuti, if bodhisattvas abide in the notions of a self, a person, a sentient being, or a life span, they are not bodhisattvas.”
大 乘 正 宗 分 第 三
佛告須菩提•諸菩薩摩訶薩•應如是降伏其心•所有 一切眾生之類•若卵生•若胎生•若濕生•若化生• 若有色•若無色•若有想•若無想• 若非有想非無 想•我皆令入無餘涅槃而滅度之•如是滅度無量無數 無邊眾生•實無眾生得滅度者•何以故•須菩提•若 菩薩有我相•人相•眾生相•壽者相•即非菩薩•
