018 =soothill

The nine suitable stages in religious service; cf. [lang id =1028]大日經, 7; [lang id =1028]作禮 salutation to the universal Triratna; [lang id =1028]出罪 repentance and confession; [lang id =1028]歸依 trust (in the Triratna); [lang id =1028]施身 giving of self (to the Tathāgata); [lang id =1028]發菩提心 vowing to devote the mind to bodhi; [lang id =1028]隨喜 rejoicing (in all good); [lang id =1028]勸請 beseeching (all Tathāgatas to rain down the saving law); [lang id =1028]奉請法身 praying for the Buddha-nature in self and others for entry in the Pure Land; [lang id =1028]迴向 demitting the good produced by the above eight methods, to others, universally, past, present, and future. This form of service is generally performed before engaging in esoteric observances. The verses in which these nine stages are presented are of a commendably devotional character.