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The verses themselves are self-explanatory, but one can feel the deep compassion and emotions, the empathy and understanding that Śāntideva has for the whole gamut of human beings' sufferings. | The verses themselves are self-explanatory, but one can feel the deep compassion and emotions, the empathy and understanding that Śāntideva has for the whole gamut of human beings' sufferings. | ||
The verses are reminiscent of lines from a poem by the famous Japanese Buddhist master and hermit-poet Ryokan, who said: "O, that my priest's robe were wide enough to gather up all the suffering people in this floating world."<ref> | The verses are reminiscent of lines from a poem by the famous Japanese Buddhist master and hermit-poet Ryokan, who said: "O, that my priest's robe were wide enough to gather up all the suffering people in this floating world."<ref>Ryōkan, ''One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan'', trans. John Stevens (New York: Weatherhill, 1997), 75.</ref> | ||
It is important, however, that dedications are not just made for freedom from the manifest sufferings. Eventually, to avoid all these sufferings mentioned above sentient beings will have to align themselves with the spiritual path and strive to overcome their afflictions and ignorance. That is the only hope of avoiding suffering in the long-term. Therefore, Śāntideva also dedicates his merit that sentient beings will also immediately leave aside their nonvirtue and engage in the path that leads to perfect peace: | It is important, however, that dedications are not just made for freedom from the manifest sufferings. Eventually, to avoid all these sufferings mentioned above sentient beings will have to align themselves with the spiritual path and strive to overcome their afflictions and ignorance. That is the only hope of avoiding suffering in the long-term. Therefore, Śāntideva also dedicates his merit that sentient beings will also immediately leave aside their nonvirtue and engage in the path that leads to perfect peace: | ||
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