The Essence of the Great Vows

The Boundless Compassion of the Vow to Save

To truly save all beings, one must first begin by saving oneself. We must realise that the sensations of the body and the feelings of the heart are ultimately illusions. By focusing our diligent practice, we can guide the fifty trillion cells of our body toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the first step in our journey.

Beyond saving ourselves, we must vow to save all beings throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm. Every being we encounter, and every being we seek to save, is connected by karmic affinity. By transforming our karmic creditors, we help them leave the cycle of reincarnated suffering, guiding them toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. To achieve this, we must move forward with diligent practice, maintaining a mind that is free from waves of emotion, free from the self, and entirely selfless. When we reach the state of no-self, we become a Dharma-nature body, naturally operating in accordance with the Buddha's path to save all beings.

Transcending the Illusions of the Self

To end the endless afflictions, we must first learn to see through the illusions of this world. We must break through the barriers of emotion, understand that all things are illusory, and rely firmly upon the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. When we realise that the distinction between self and others is empty, we find that there is nothing to be gained. Our bodies become light and free.

We must learn to let go of the "self". There is not a single thing in this world that we can truly take with us. By letting go of the "self", we can better save those with whom we are connected by karmic affinity. We must also strive to change our personalities and eliminate our negative habits, for these are all obstacles that invite further confusion and impurity. By removing these layers one by one, there will eventually come a day when we see our true nature. We must renounce the mundane, the cycle of reincarnated suffering, and the body of karma, letting them all go completely. Let no matter trouble your heart, let no person entangle your spirit, and do not dwell on the past. Instead, focus on cultivating compassion, Wisdom (Prajna), and a vast mind-capacity, and vow to extinguish the fire of anger born from confusion.

The Infinite Path of Learning and Service

To learn the infinite Dharma, we must vow to serve all beings. We must recognise our own ignorance, remain humble, and be willing to learn from everyone. By practising equality and refusing to engage in discriminations, we can avoid being caught in the traps of the ego. We must strive for the Six Harmonies, growing together in a state of harmony and unity. This is how we walk the one true Buddha's path.

The Radiant Realisation of the Buddha-path

Finally, we vow to become a Buddha. This means aligning our actions with the Buddha-actions, manifesting the Buddha-vow, and offering our Buddha-heart to the world. We vow to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, where the lotus flowers bloom, and fully realise the Buddha's path. Through this, we leave suffering behind and find true happiness, forever abiding in the light of Namo Amituofo.