Month: March 2017

Great compassion arose from these bodhisattvas. They empathized with all sentient beings. With a heart of compassion, they lectured on the teachings, taught by example, and also imparted the Dharma Eyes. They blocked all evil paths and opened the door of virtuousness. They regarded all beings as themselves. They rescued and helped living beings and Read More …

To all living beings they were friends, [who would help] without being asked. When teaching all beings, the bodhisattvas have this vow of compassion: on their own accord, they become good friends to all beings. When we emulate the bodhisattvas, we should learn to perceive the suitable way and the right time to teach a Read More …

Their minds constantly and truly dwell on the Way to enlighten all beings. The first of the Four Great Vows is “Sentient beings are innumerable; I vow to help them all.” Always having this thought is “the Way to enlighten all beings.” This excerpt is about generating the bodhi mind—a mind that constantly abides by Read More …

[They] . . . cleansed dirt and pollution, and revealed cleanliness. This excerpt is a metaphor. The purpose of our chanting the sutras and the Buddha-name is to cleanse the contamination in our character, thoughts, and views so as to “reveal cleanliness”—to restore a pure mind. The full title of the Infinite Life Sutra is Read More …

Constantly, they used the Dharma sound to awaken all the worlds. “Dharma” refers to methods and principles. The teaching in the previous two excerpts is for self-cultivation and self-benefit. The teaching in this excerpt is for benefiting others. When we benefit from our learning and practice, we should use the experience, through words and our Read More …

With the power of meditative concentration and wisdom, they subdued Mara’s enmities. “Mara” does not refer to demons but to various afflictions that torture and torment us. The sufferings in this world are so painful that they are even more terrifying than encountering demons. “Enmities” refers to enemy. The sutras talk about “ten evils the Read More …

All followed and cultivated the virtues of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, were replete with infinite vows and practices, andsteadfastly dwelt in the virtues and merits of all dharmas. This first excerpt points out the objective of the Pure Land school. A well-accomplished practitioner added “The Chapter of the Vows and Practices of amantab-hadra Bodhisattva” to the three Pure Land sutras and Read More …