The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

2019 • 01 50 * This article is extracted from the book “Three Ways to the Pure Land (Revised Edition)”. THREE WAYS TO THE PURE LAND beings that the Buddha engaged in spiritual cultivation, and it is to transform them that he attained Buddhahood. We should not fear work or suffering. Instead, we should nurture the perseverance and courage to endure them. “If they… long for rebirth in the Pure Land, then their intention is not in accordance with Bodhicitta.” As Buddhist practitioners, especially in the modern world, we should bravely persevere in carrying out the teachings of the Buddha. We must not remain in a state of passivity and fail to practise what we learn. That is the ways of the Hearers, who only listen to the teachings but fail to practise what they have heard. We must always listen, contemplate the teachings we hear, and then practise accordingly. “If they make the vow because they feel great compassion for all living beings and wish to transform them and lead them to Buddhahood, then their intention is in harmony with Bodhicitta. They are following the practice of the Bodhisattvas, and such a vow should be made.” Sentient beings in this world have countless afflictions. We must not avoid sentient beings, but instead we should go among them and shoulder their suffering as though it were our own. That is true compassion. As Earth Treasury Bodhisattva said, “I vow not to attain Buddhahood until the Hell is empty.” Thus we have the saying, “If I do not descend into Hell, who will?” If we do not go to the place of suffering to save people, who will? That is the true intent of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Eliminate demons and attain Buddhahood As disciples of the Buddha, shouldering the Buddha’s missions is our responsibility. We should adopt the great vow of Earth Treasury Bodhisattva to assist all living beings to attain Buddhahood. This is how we truly give rise to Bodhicitta and truly walk the Bodhisattva Path. When the Buddha came to the world to teach the Dharma, he did not intend for us to simply listen, but to put his teachings into practice. Those who can diligently practise these teachings are Bodhisattvas, so we must earnestly aspire to engage in spiritual cultivation. If we do not, we will be obstructed and overpowered by demons and we will not progress on the Bodhi Path to awakening. I hope that rather than just studying Buddhism, we can all truly learn from the Buddha. If we study Buddhism without practising the Buddha’s Way, we will be like a fly that is trying to pass through a glass window; we will not be able to find a way past our obstructions. We may know much about Buddhist texts and traditions, but will ultimately run up against the obstacle of knowledge and be unable to attain awakening. To overcome obstacles in our spiritual cultivation, we need to have faith, perseverance and courage. By emulating the Buddha’s spirit and putting his teachings into practice, we can eliminate the obstacles posed by demons both inside and outside of ourselves, and, in this way, we will definitely achieve the state of Buddhahood. (To be continued in the next issue)