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若见空钵，当愿众生，其心清净，空无烦恼

若见满钵，当愿众生，具足成满，一切善法

(华严经净行品句)

If we see an empty bowl,
we should wish that all beings be pure of heart,
and empty of afflictions.

If we see a full bowl,
we should wish that
all beings completely fulfill all virtuous ways.

(Pure conduct, Flower adornment Sutra)
English Text Translated by Thomas Cleary

Alternative translation : 

As the bowl is empty,
wish pure hearts for all beings to clear off afflictions.

As the bowl is full,
wish abundant accomplishment for all beings to fulfill 
every beneficial Dharma.
(Pure conduct, Flower adornment Sutra)

This translation is dedicated by: 止善.
Please visit his wonderful Blog here:
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/tssoon 


The “Emptiness” in Dharma does not really mean
“Nothing is there”.
Because of emptiness, it can content million things.
Because of emptiness, All Dharma can be demonstrated.
Only because of Empty nature,
we can realize all Dharmas are
dependent and conditioned.Therefore,
Empty Alms Bowl does not mean “Nothing is there at all”,
instead, it means all things be contained within.

Reflection:

「空」之一义，在佛法中并不完全等同于「无」。
唯有空，才能包含万有。唯有空，才能演绎妙法。
也唯有空，才能了达诸法缘起。
是以，空钵非唯意指「了无所有」，
而是表达著「含摄诸有」的广大妙义。