Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

have committed worldly sins and ensure that they enjoy
life in a heaven. But Jesus did not have the realization of
sunyata (such is not evident from the Gospels) and thus
could have no transcendental merits, as Buddhas or
great bodhisattvas have; so his power of salvation is
limited to the six realms of samsara, whereas the latter,
with the hook of voidness and compassion, draw beings
out of samsara. Sins against the Buddha, Dharma, and
Sangha are naturally more serious than even great
worldly transgressions, and Jesus has no power to save
those who commit such sins against the Three Jewels.
For heavy karma of this type, there are the thirty-five
Buddhas of Confession arranged in a mandala.
One day Mr. Chen had shown the transcriber a
board he had made with thirty-five candle holders
on it arranged in the pattern of this mandala. This
was placed before the mandala itself and a candle
lighted in the corresponding position to the Buddha
connected with any particular precepts broken. Mr.
Chen has examined the names of these Buddhas and
determined from their meanings which Buddha is
connected with the confession of which offence. He
has written verses of confession for each one and
performs their puja whenever this is necessary.
Respecting the commission of unskillful deeds, Mr.
Chen said:
People of the three different times of life should adopt
653