Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha
The Dharma, infinitely profound and subtle; Is rarely encountered even in a million kalpas. Now we are able to hear, study, and follow it; May we fully realize the Tathagata’s true meaning.SUTRA OF THE EIGHT REALIZATIONS OF GREAT BEINGS
Translated by Shramana An Shi Gao of Later Han, 2nd Century
為佛弟子，常於晝夜，至心誦念，八大人覺。
Day and night, at all times, Buddha’s disciples should mindfully recite and contemplate the eight realizations of Great Beings.
第一覺悟：世間無常，國土危脆；四大苦空，五陰無我；The First Realization: All the world is impermanent. The earth is fragile and perilous. The four great elements inhere in suffering and emptiness. In the five skandhas there is no self. 生滅變異，虛偽無主；心是惡源，形為罪藪。如是觀察，漸離生死。All that arise, change, and perish, are illusive, unreal, and without a master. Mind is the root of evil; body a reservoir of sin. Thus observing and contemplating, one gradually breaks free from birth and death.
第二覺知：多欲為苦；生死疲勞，從貪欲起；少欲無為，身心自在。The Second Realization: Excessive desire is suffering. Birth, death, and weariness in life, all originate from greed and desires. Desiring less, being empty of effort, body and mind are at ease and free.
The Third Realization: The mind is insatiable, always seeking, thirsty for more, thus increasing our sins.
Bodhisattvas renounce such conduct. Always remember to follow the Way, be content and at peace with poverty, with wisdom as the sole vocation.
第四覺知：懈怠墜落。常行精進，破煩惱惡，摧伏四魔，出陰界獄。The Fourth Realization: Indolence leads to degradation. Always practice with diligence, vanquish all vexations, subdue the four maras, and escape the prison of the skandhas and realms.
The Fifth Realization: Ignorance leads to birth and death.
菩薩常念，廣學多聞，增長智慧，成就辯才，教化一切，悉以大樂。Bodhisattvas are always mindful, to study and learn extensively, to increase their wisdom, and perfect their eloquence, so they can teach and enlighten all beings, and impart great joy to all.
第六覺知：貧苦多怨，橫結惡緣。菩薩布施，等念冤親，不念舊惡，不憎惡人。The Sixth Realization: Poverty and hardship breed resentment, creating harm and discord. Bodhisattvas practice dana, beholding the friendly and hostile equally. They neither harbor grudges, nor despise malicious people.
The Seventh Realization: The five desires are perilous. Even as laity, be not sullied by worldly pleasures.
常念三衣，瓦缽法器，志願出家，守道清白，梵行高遠，慈悲一切。Think frequently of the three robes, the tiled bowl, and instruments of Dharma. Aspire to the monastic life, and cultivate the Way with purity. Let your actions be noble and sublime. Showering compassion on all.
The Eighth Realization: Birth and death are like a blazing fire, plagued with endless afflictions and suffering.
發大乘心，普濟一切。願代眾生，受無量苦；令諸眾生，畢竟大樂。Vow to cultivate the Mahayana mind, to bring relief to all. To take on infinite sufferings for sentient beings, and lead all to supreme joy.
如此八事，乃是諸佛菩薩大人之所覺悟；
These are the eight realizations of Great Beings, Buddhas and bodhisattvas. They practice the Way with diligence.
精進行道，慈悲修慧，乘法身船，至涅槃岸；復還生死，度脫眾生。Develop compassion, and cultivate wisdom. They sail the ship of dharmakaya to the shore of nirvana. Returning again to samsara to liberate sentient beings.
以前八事，開導一切，令諸眾生，覺生死苦，捨離五欲，修心聖道。With these eight principles, they point out the Way, so that all beings may awaken to the sufferings of life and death, relinquish the five desires, and cultivate the mind on the noble path.
If Buddha’s disciples recite these eight realizations, in thought after thought, they will eradicate countless sins.
Advance on the bodhi path. Promptly attain enlightenment. Be forever freed from birth and death, and always abide in joy.
I take refuge in the Buddha, may all sentient beings understand the Great Way profoundly, and bring forth the bodhi mind.
I take refuge in the Dharma, may all sentient beings deeply enter the sutra treasury, and have wisdom vast as the sea.
自皈依僧．當願眾生．統理大眾．一切無礙．和南聖眾。I take refuge in the Sangha, may all sentient beings form together a great assembly, one and all in harmony. Homage to the assembly of noble ones.眾生無邊誓願度
煩惱無盡誓願斷
法門無量誓願學
Countless are sentient beings, I vow to liberate; Endless are afflictions, I vow to eradicate; Measureless are the Dharmas, I vow to master; Supreme is the Buddha Way, I vow to attain.
一切罪障皆懺悔
All the harm I have ever done, since time immemorial; Are caused by greed, anger, and ignorance; And produced through my body, speech, and will; Now I confess and amend all.願以此功德 普及於一切
May the merits of our deeds
Reach every part of the world;
Sentient beings large and small
All attain enlightenment.摩訶般若波羅蜜
Maha-Prajna-Paramita