The Vow of Compassion
Teachings from Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Recorded on April 8, 2019
The Echoes of the Heart's Lament
Avalokiteshvara looks upon the human world with infinite . When people suffer, they often cry out in frustration, allowing their internal dissatisfaction to manifest as a powerful signal. Unfortunately, this emotional state acts as a beacon that attracts or leads to spiritual attachment. This is truly counterproductive, as it only deepens the cycle of suffering that one seeks to escape.
The Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and the patriarchs and venerable masters have long understood this mechanism of the mind. Because of their great compassion, they have left behind the Jewel to guide us. They teach us to walk the righteous path, maintaining righteous knowledge and righteous thoughts at all times. This is the essential foundation for one to grow and eventually achieve the fruit of .
Seeds of Light in the Garden of the Mind
Your thoughts are the seeds of your reality. When you maintain positive and righteous thoughts, you naturally attract positive beings and auspicious conditions. Conversely, when you dwell in negativity, you attract negative beings who resonate with that same frequency. It would be ideal to reach a state of no-thought, where the mind is completely still and unmoving. However, because many people lack a deep understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, they do not know how to achieve this state, and even those who do know often find it difficult to practise.
Therefore, we must at least strive to maintain righteous thoughts. If you can successfully cultivate this, your life will undergo a profound transformation. By focusing on righteous knowledge, keeping your heart aligned with the Buddha’s teachings, performing acts of goodness to grow roots of goodness, and keeping the ultimate goal of Enlightenment in your heart, you can begin to shift your internal state.
Transcending the Illusory Veil
The weight of the past is a heavy burden, and the anticipation of the future is a source of constant anxiety. When you cling to the past, you suffer; when you hold onto expectations for the future, you suffer. This relativity—this constant swinging between what has been and what might be—is the cause of so much harm in the human world. Do not let the past trip you up. Instead, learn to exist fully in the present moment. Be brave enough to face yourself honestly. Even if you encounter obstacles along the way, you must have the courage to break through them.
The world is ultimately an illusion. The Buddha’s teachings are designed to help you recognise this truth. By understanding the illusory nature of the world, you can gain the strength to step outside of its narrow confines. Only then can you truly realise your true nature and see what is real. This is the power of the vow—to remain steadfast on the righteous path, regardless of the illusions that surround you.
Recorded by Venerable HaiZe.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library