Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Predictions for Those at and Beyond Learning (學無學人 均蒙授記)
Date: October.09.2017
“Bodhisattvas must actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions to achieve ultimate perfection in all things and realize the infinite wisdom of the Buddha. They thus attain perfect, supreme, universal enlightenment. Their enlightened nature becomes one with the universe, and they attain the Buddha’s all-encompassing wisdom as vast as the ocean.”
Dear Bodhisattvas, the path we have to take to attain Buddhahood is the Bodhisattva-path. We constantly say this, but have we taken it to heart? Have we decided to form aspirations? Are we willing to accept the Great Vehicle Bodhisattva teachings? And are we willing to actualize them in their actions? We must constantly ask ourselves these questions. Today, when it comes to actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions, what have we accomplished? In terms of benefiting sentient beings, have we done enough to put our minds at ease? Is everything we do in harmony with the Dharma? If this is the case, then we will feel very happy. Our minds will be open and understanding. If every day we practice the Dharma we hear, then we are “actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions.” Giving, upholding precepts, patience, diligence, Samadhi and wisdom, have we truly actualized them? We have! Then, in our daily living, our minds can be at peace. This is because we practice according to the teachings. We take action according to the teachings we hear. This is the Bodhisattva-practice; it is walking the Bodhisattva-path. Moreover, [we need to achieve] ultimate perfection in all things. Oftentimes, when we eat a meal, we put our palms together and recite a verse. This is “achieving [perfection] in all things.” When it comes to the teachings we have received, if in our daily living we are already acting in accord with them, that is “achieving [perfection] in all things.” For this, we must constantly be mindful, not just on one or two occasions; to achieve ultimate perfection, we must actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions. If we want to attain the ultimate, can we fully accomplish that in one lifetime? Of course we cannot do it in one lifetime, but we can form great aspirations and make great vows. These vows must be deep, great vows from the depths of our hearts. Our faith must be deep, and our roots must be firmly planted. In this lifetime, we form aspirations, and in future lifetimes we will likewise put them into practice. These are great vows from the depths of our hearts. If from very deep in our hearts we make these very great vows life after life, then naturally we will achieve ultimate perfection. In life after life, with this kind of faith and this kind of power of vows, everything we do will be inseparable from the Six Paramitas and from actualizing them in all actions. This is because they help us be very meticulous. Every time we open our mouths, we can easily achieve this. As long as we have faith, there is nothing we cannot do. Speaking good words, thinking good thoughts, walking a good path and doing good deeds, is this difficult to accomplish? It is not difficult. All of these fall within actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions. As long as we take good care of our minds and make great vows from the depth of our hearts, with everything we do life after life, naturally we will achieve “ultimate perfection”. Having formed these aspirations, we will definitely “achieve [perfection] in all things.” We begin by making vows, then after many lifetimes, one day we will eventually accomplish everything we need to do and “realize the infinite wisdom of the Buddha”. We endlessly keep accumulating [causes]. With time we can accumulate all [causes]. We not only accumulate them in this life; [the effect] of what we do in this life will extend into countless future lifetimes. We should be very clear on this principle. Every day we go through this same cycle. I repeatedly, continuously share [the Dharma] with everyone, hoping that the Dharma will circulate in all of us.
This is like how the blood in our body has to circulate for our body to be healthy. The Dharma must also constantly circulate in the depths of our mind and consciousness, in our ocean of enlightened wisdom in order for our wisdom-life to grow. Therefore, we must always actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions. In our daily living, if in the past, present and future [the Dharma] endlessly circulates within us then, with everything we do, we will in the future “realize the infinite wisdom of the Buddha” and attain “perfect, supreme, universal enlightenment.” This is the principle of endless circulation. We are only at the starting point. We must always, no matter how far we need to go, have [perfect enlightenment] as our end point; we must not go off track. We must remain on the path of actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions. When we let [the principles] endlessly circulate over lifetime after lifetime, naturally we will attain “perfect, supreme, universal enlightenment”. “Their enlightened nature becomes one with the universe.” Everyone intrinsically has the enlightened neuter of True Suchness. Our enlightened nature can become one with the universe. This is what I constantly tell everyone. The principles pervade the universe. In terms of space, time and interpersonal relationships, with these truths and principles, how should we walk the Bodhisattva-path? Walking it is converging with true principles.
Remember how yesterday morning. I told you all that in Ecuador, on April 16, there was a very devastating earthquake. Tzu Chi volunteers from the United States and from South America came together to go to the [disaster] area. Here in Taiwan, we were very concerned. We organized relief materials and found a way for them to reach the people there. We knew that they needed foldable beds, blankets and such, so we packed everything in containers. They are presently on route there by sea. I shared this with everyone yesterday. Soon after I shared this, right after I stepped out, I heard the news that. Ecuador had suffered another powerful earthquake. One May 18 (2016), at 2:57 am local time, another earthquake occurred. “Oh, is that the case?” “Yes, Did it result in any major calamities?” We immediately contacted [our volunteers there]. Between the quake’s epicenter and where we were holding the Cash for Relief program in the town of Canoa, there was a distance of over 100 kilometers. Yet, the earth shook [violently]. Everyone was terrified. Were the Tzu Chi volunteers safe? Where the Tzu Chi volunteers who were mobilizing people there safe? Yes, they were, but everyone was frightened. That was the first [aftershock]. Then, there was a second one. It also occurred on May 18. The quake struck past 11 am local time. Suddenly there was another earthquake, this one with a magnitude of 6.8, which is also very strong. At that hour, Tzu Chi volunteers were already leading people to clean up the streets. When the first aftershock occurred, everyone was frightened, but they felt they still had to keep going. As they were working, suddenly, past 11 am, another strong earthquake hit. Everyone panicked and scattered, looking for safe place to go. That is right! They were on the streets sweeping. What if a building suddenly collapsed? Because they were cleaning up in the city, everyone was scared. They quickly searched for a more open space. Someone people fainted. Fortunately, there were doctors on our team, Chinese medicine practitioners. Two doctors rushed to give them acupuncture and comfort them.
We are all human. Those who walk the Bodhisattva-path, who are there to save people, were also caught in this strong earthquake. Everyone was so terrified that some even fainted. Other people were still looking for an open area, in case another earthquake struck. Those who were there to help started comforting people. They too were scared, but they still quickly went to comfort, others, pulling them close. Some elderly people were so frightened they cried. Women and children were shaking in fear. Tzu Chi volunteers went to their side and embraced them and patted them. “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Calm down, calm down.” The doctors quickly revived those who fainted. These Bodhisattvas are there in the disaster area. After the initial disaster, we already went into that area; we have been there for over 20 days. We are going in teams. Now, the second team that is there. When this [aftershock] occurred, they who were there did not panic. This earthquake struck suddenly first thing in the morning before daybreak, and they too were scared. As they were doing the disaster relief work, past 11 am as they were already leading people to do clean up yet another earthquake struck. Everyone panicked, but [our volunteers] immediately comforted them. This is truly not an easy feat! This is called [walking] the Bodhisattva-path. They have already internalized the Dharma; their enlightened nature has become one with the universe. When we have sense of mission, we know we are going to that place to help people. As everyone panics, we must be very steady and calm and tell everyone not to be afraid. This is what Bodhisattva-practitioners are like. When people are scared, they can see [our volunteers] and say, “Oh! This is what people who help others are like. When [things happen], they do not panic. Amidst impermanence and change, they can remain peaceful and at ease. Moreover, they can help settle people’s minds. This is not an easy thing.”
This is not impossible to do. As long as we are dedicated, why wouldn’t it be achievable. This is what Living Bodhisattvas do. They go among people and their suffering. In times of crisis and suffering. Bodhisattvas go there and help calm people’s minds. We also need to continue leading them forward. Ah, this is how life is. Yesterday morning, I was just talking about that place. In fact, as I was speaking, they had already experienced a second earthquake. Only 32 days have passed between April 16 and May 18. The April 16 quake caused such a large disaster. On May 18, another very powerful earthquake struck. How could anyone not be afraid? Everyone would definitely feel afraid. However, what could be done? The forces of nature are truly powerful. [This is due to] sentient beings’ collective karma. These things continuously happen, but when they happens, Living Bodhisattvas must quickly appear. This can be done; it is not impossible.
So, it says, “Their enlightened nature becomes one with the universe”. If we want to understand this, we can think of it as sentient beings’ collective karma. While we live in peace, we must find a way to quickly call on everyone to be self-disciplined and reverent. The best is to adopt a vegetarian diet. With this kind of self-discipline, we should reverently pray for everyone to make a slight change in lifestyle and cultivate a reverent state of mind.
It so happened that yesterday, Mr. Gary Ho returned from Canada. He came to report on the forest fires in the Canadian province of Alberta. That too sounds like a very precarious situation! We are just watching the news from here; it is truly worrisome! That is because the fire is heading toward oil refineries. This is truly very worrisome. Has the fire begun to die down? Not yet. It continues to burn. So, we are making preparations to increase the amount of disaster relief goods. Yesterday, [Mr. Ho] told us, “To transport [the goods] to Canada, they go by air to Vancouver. After they arrive in Vancouver, there is still 1600 kilometers to go by ground transport”. So, these [shipments] are already arriving, one after another. What they need the most is blankets. [People there] were very impressed with the blankets from Taiwan. As they touched those blankets, they felt happy. So, yesterday I said, “Please check right away; right now, over 4000 blankets have arrived. See how many people are still in need. More disaster survivors are temporarily housed at schools and other large spaces. These are the people who need them. Please hurry up and carefully estimate the quantity needed so there will be no gap in supply”. So, on one hand there is Canada. Their lives are very prosperous to begin with. Transportation is also very convenient. We can ship things there by air freight; it is very convenient to get there. To ship things to Ecuador, even if we ship by air it has to go through the US and then go over land, passing through other countries etc. It is not easy! So, we have to ship it by sea. Things must arrive in the US before they can continue Ecuador. Consider these disasters around the world. We provide disaster relief no matter how far away they are. Time, space and the distance between people must quickly be crossed. At whatever time it occurs, in whatever place it occurs, everyone must quickly work together. Those who are nearby go to the site, and those who are far provide material support. This is how people come together to give. So it is said, “Bodhisattvas must actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions”. To achieve ultimate perfection of these principles we must carry them out one by one. Life after life we gain the Buddha’s wisdom to [eventually] achieve perfect enlightenment. No matter how long it takes, we must always “Just do it”. We can then become one with our enlightened nature. Our enlightened nature can become one with the universe. “They attain the Buddha’s all-encompassing wisdom as vast as the ocean”. We can perfect our all-encompassing wisdom. This is the path of engaging in spiritual practice to attain Buddhahood. So, we must mindfully experience all matters and things in the world.
If we are unable to understand the world’s people, matters and things, understanding the Buddha’s principles will be very difficult. We have to understand the world and our time; living in this present era, we must understand this modern-day space. We must be very clear on this. Only then can we [understand] the Buddha-Dharma. It remains unchanging throughout the ages. The principles of the Buddha-Dharma pervade the universe and remain unchanging throughout the ages. We must seize the present, our time, space and relationships. In this way we experience how the Buddha’s principles are all by our side and how they pervade the universe.
Let us look at the previous sutra passage, “The Buddha told Ananda, “Do you see those at and beyond learning, 2000 in total?” Ananda answered, “Yes, I already see them.” “‘Ananda, all these people will make offerings to many Buddhas, Tathagatas as numerous as the dust particles of 50 worlds’”.
The Buddha again called to Ananda, “Ananda, do you know? Look at these over 2000 people, how everyone’s mind is so pure. They have already all aspired to become Bodhisattvas. These people will attain Buddhahood in the future. Yet they will still need to make offerings to Buddhas as numerous as the dust particles of 50 worlds”. The particles of 50 worlds ground into dust, that is how long a time they will still require to attain Buddhahood in the future. This was the Buddha’s dialogue with Ananda. We discussed this in detail yesterday. This will still require a very long time. We also say the same thing. We are all Buddhas, future Buddhas. We must begin to make offerings now. We must begin to show reverence and respect, form good affinities and benefit others. Going among people, everyone is a future Buddha. so, we must seize the present. We cannot wait until the future to make offerings to as many Buddhas as the dust particles of 50 worlds. Everyone here right now is a Buddha. This is actually the meaning of this. I hope everyone thoroughly understands this.
The next sutra passage says, “They will, with reverence and respect, safeguard [these Buddha’s] Dharma-treasuries. Finally, at the same time in the lands of the ten directions, they wikk each attain Buddhahood. They will all share the same epithet; their name will be Treasure Appearance.
In the future, they will have to make offerings to that many Buddhas. In the presence of so many Buddhas, they will have to show reverence and respect and likewise safeguard. After going through all this, in the end, “finally,” meaning in the end, in the lands of the ten directions, all of them will simultaneously attain Buddhahood. As you all know, the ten directions are the four directions the four intermediate firectionsm above and below. These are called “the ten directions”. They will attain Buddhahood at the same time, with the same epithet; their name will be Treasure Appearance. Everyone will attain Buddhahood at the same time. They will attain Buddhahood, each in his own land, in the ten directions. Reading this, we recognize that we must constantly bring purity to people’s hearts and constantly encourage everyone to walk the Bodhisattva-path together. If everyone can walk the Bodhisattva-path at the same time, they will likewise actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions. If they akk do this, if they all give to countless sentient beings, then since their practice is that same, they will attain Buddhahood at the same time. It does not need to happen in sequence. These 2000 people received the Buddha’s predictions simultaneously and will attain Buddhahood simultaneously. Moreover, they will have the same epithet. This is incredible! However, this means that everyone must put the teachings into practice. everyone can attain Buddhahood. That should be what this means. So, “They will, with reverence and respect, safeguard [these Buddha‘s] Dharma-treasuries.
They will, with reverebce and respect, safeguard [these Buddha’s] Dharma-treasuries: With humility, respect, caution, reverence and sincerity, they will safeguard the Dharma-treasuries of all Buddhas. This is also called the Tathagata-garbha, which is the truth of the Dharma-nature. Because the Dharma-nature contains the infinite virtues of our nature, is says they will safeguard [these Buddha’s] Dharma-treasuries.”
When it comes to our attitude, is our attitude toward everyone such that, when we are helping them, we are reverence and humble? To treat people with reverence, we must humble ourselves. When we go to help people, we must also bow to them, making a 90-degree bow. This is giving with respect.
Look at our present-day Loving Bodhisattvas. Isn’t this what all Tzu Chi volunteers are like? They have such humility and respect. They are very cautions. We slowly guide the elderly, taking our time to confort them. When we see that their home is cluttered, we quickly help them clear the obstacles from their place so they can live in their homes safely. This is our meticulousness and mindfulness. We treat them as we would our own elders, with reverence and sincerity. We are very meticulous and very mindful. We do everything we can to help them. This is how we should face every person, respecting the Buddha as of He was present. We must treat all sentient beings as the Buddha. we should be like Never Slighting Bodhisattva. “I do not dare look sown on you because you are all future Buddhas.” Since this is the case, he reverently paid respect to everyone. When people yelled at him or threw stones at him, he would just dodge out of the way and still put his palms together and bow. “I do not dare look sown on you, because you will attain Buddhahood in the future.” It is the same principle. Shouldn’t we be doing this nowadays? We should encourage and respect one another. When we go to help others, in this way we all respect those whom we are helping. Isn’t this what we are doing?
So, [we must] “safeguard the Dharma-treasuries of all Buddhas.” This is what the Buddha-Dharma-teaches us, so we express it in this way. This is the best spiritual training ground, and our body is our teaching material. It allows people to see, “Ah, this is what Buddhist practitioners are like.” Look at how, during the Buddha Bathing ceremonies, people of different religions embrace Buddhism to such a high degree. There are so many people who are simultaneously paying their respects. Because we always respect other people, at this time, people will also respect us. Our bodies are the best storehouse for the treasures of Dharma. This is because we safeguard it. We safeguard it so that people will know that we are the Buddha’s disciples. This is what the Buddha taught us, so we put it into practice. and in that way express [the teachings]. This is “safeguarding the Dharma-treasuries of all Buddhas.
In fact, [the Dharma] is stored in our bodies, in our actions and in our expressions. So, “This is also called the Tathagata-garbha, which is the truth of the Dharma-nature.” The storehouse of the treasure of Buddha-Dharma can be called the Tathagata-garbha. It is also “the truth of the Dharma-nature.” It pervades the universe. These are the principles; we follow the rules and put them into practice. so, “The Dharma-nature contains the infinite virtues of our nature.” Because this Dharma is stored in our infinite nature, all of us have this ocean of enlightened wisdom. This treasury of Dharma is stored in our Dharma-nature, our ocean of wisdom. When we give to others, we must be diligent. By working hard on our minds, in our external practice we will perfect our virtues. So, we have infinite virtues by nature. We must work hard to bring these virtues to fruition. Only by giving will we attain virtue. “The virtuous attain”. We have to give to others to have the attainment brought by virtue. So, “[Therefore], it says they ‘safeguard [these Buddha’s] Dharma-treasuries.”’ These Dharma-treasuries are what we must all put into practice. The Buddha gave us these teachings, so this is what we must take into our minds, what we must express among people. This is safeguarding Dharma-treasuries. “Moreover, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, with their hearts of great compassion….” In their past, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas used a heart of great compassion to safeguard the Tathagata-Dharma, the Right Dharma of the Tathagata.
Moreover, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, with their hearts of great compassion, safeguard the Right Dharma of the Tathagata so that no maras or heretical teachings are able to disrupt it. They thus enable sentient beings to give rise to right faith and delight in hearing, promulgating and spreading the teachings, thus creating inexhaustible benefit.
All Buddhas did this in Their past. They walked the Bodhisattva-path and use a heart of great compassion as they safeguarded the Right Dharma of the Tathagata. This refers to the principles. All Bodhisattvas follow and actualize these principles in their actions. This is called “safeguarding the Right Dharma of the Tathagata”. So, “No maras or heretical teachings will be able to disrupt it”. Our mindset must be right. We must have the Dharma in our actions. When the Right Dharma is in us, naturally maras and heretical teachings, incorrect perspectives and thinking, will be unable to enter our minds. So, “They will be unable to disrupt it.” If our minds can abide in the Right Dharma, we will not constantly give rise to afflictions and keep mistaken things on our minds. We will not! We will very quickly eliminate them. When our mindset is right and we practice the Dharma in our actions, no ignorance or afflictions will disturb us. With the Right Path and the Right Dharma, we will have no ignorance or afflictions. “They thus enable sentient beings to give rise to right faith and delight in hearing.” We must earnestly put our hearts into being people who listen to, teach and transmit the Dharma to help everyone happily accept the Buddha-Dharma. When we listen, teach and behave according to [the Dharma], naturally people will have trust in us. If what we say is one thing and the way we behave is different, who is going to trust us? If we do not practice what we preach, who will believe our words? If we are not trustworthy, who will believe the words we say? So, we must listen to the Dharma, change ourselves and put the Right Dharma into practice. Then, naturally sentient beings will have “right faith and delight in hearing”. When we happily listen to and accept it, we can put it into practice. We “promulgate and spread the teachings.” If we can take this Dharma and promulgate it so it can spread throughout the world, we can enable everyone to accept it and help everyone attain benefit. So, it “creates inexhaustible benefit.” When we go to help people, those who are suffering receive material aid, and those are helping them get to open their hearts and be understanding. We will be happy. Isn’t this “promulgating and spreading the teachings, thus creating inexhaustible benefit”? As long as the Buddha-Dharma is in our minds and in our actions, everyone will believe the words we say. Everyone will work with us to help people. We will attain benefit from each other. So, it says, “Finally, at the same time in the lands of the ten directions, they will each attain Buddhahood.”
Finally, at the same time in the lands of the ten directions, they will each attain Buddhahood: In their final incarnation, in the lands of ten directions they will attain supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment and achieve Buddhahood.
These people, these 2000 practitioners, will [reach] “their final incarnation,” will reach the end. “Finally” mans at the very end. Ultimately, they will perfect “actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions”. At that time, they will have reached their final incarnation. “In the lands of the ten directions they will attain supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment”. If we continually accumulate the Dharma, the truths and principles of all things in the universe, we will become one with the universe. We will become one with the Dharma-nature of the universe. This is the most perfect [enlightenment]. “Supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment” pervades the universe. Becoming one with all truths and principles is the most perfect enlightenment, the path to attaining Buddhahood. These people “will all share the same epithet; their name will be Treasure Appearance”. These 2000 people already received predictions of Buddhahood from the Buddha. In the future, these people will all have the same epithet, “Treasure Appearance”. I am sure these2000 were very joyful. “In the future, you and I will have the same name. You and I will likewise attain Buddhahood.” However, that is after [making offerings to Buddhas] as numerous as the dust particles of 50 worlds. It will take a long time to make offerings to this many Buddhas in the future. It is best to [make them to] Buddhas now. We have always said we must “seize the moment”. Right now, everyone [around us] is among those future Buddhas that are as numerous as the dusts of those worlds. They are right before our eyes. We must be very mindful. This “question and answer” is “seeing what the master has taught”. We must know that the Buddha asked Ananda, “Do you see them?” Ananda said, “Yes, I see them.” We explained this yesterday. This was Ananda’s [assignment], since he will spread the Dharma in the future. “Come, look at this gathering. There are over 2000 people. Not only must your recognize them, you also need to understand them. Right now, is everyone’s minds very reverent? Is everyone of the same mind? Have they eliminated all their afflictions? Has everyone formed great aspirations and made great vows?” The Buddha called Ananda so that Ananda could bear witness for Him, “I understand that these people are already of one mind. Ananda, look at them.” This also shows that the Buddha did not keep His understanding and views to Himself. He did not act alone. That is not the case. He also wanted Ananda [to see]. “Look at these people. Take a good look.” He also wanted Ananda to verify this. Thought these were people of limited capabilities, they had now formed great aspirations. At a time when most people did not yet know them, the Buddha bestowed predictions on them. He wanted Ananda to see whether everyone was very reverent. This is because the Buddha came to this world for one great cause. He came to “open, reveal, realize and enter,” to testify that everyone intrinsically has Buddha-nature. The Buddha was already in His later years. [Expounding] the Lotus Sutra was His last wish. So, He wanted everyone to be very clear that everyone intrinsically has Buddha-nature. Though these people were of limited capabilities, at a time very far into the future, they will eventually attain Buddhahood. Throughout the universe, for these principles to be perfected, of course they must actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions. They must unceasingly accumulate this over a long period of time. This was how Ananda and the Buddha by asking and replying strengthened everyone’s faith. “Their bodies will be a purple –gold color, pure and clean inside and out. So, they will be called Treasure Appearance.”
Their bodies will be a purple-gold color, pure and clean inside and out. So, they will be called Treasure Appearance. They will attain Buddhahood at the same time. Their lifespan and so forth will all be the same.
In the future, these people will achieve this. People from India have a dark complexion; they are so dark they shine. They are “pure and clean inside and out”. Although their complexion is dark, their hearts are very pure and clean. “So, they will be called Treasure Appearance.” Inside and out, all throughout, they are as pure as crystal. Thus they are called “Treasure Appearance. They will attain Buddhahood at the same time.” Their lifespan will be the same. “[It] will all be the same.” Everything will be the same. This is what the Buddha said. “They observed the Buddha’s merits and virtues. Thus means they followed the Buddha’s wisdom.” Everyone was very reverent and wholeheartedly observed the Buddha.
The observed the Buddha’s merits and virtues. This means they followed the Buddha’s wisdom. For this reason, they were able to accept the Dharma of the Great Vehicle. So, the Buddha did not wait for them to speak out or give rise to thoughts. He immediately bestowed predictions upon them.
In the sutra passage, these over 2000 people were all very reverent. With reverence and respect, ”[They] wholeheartedly observed the Buddha”. This is what it says in the sutra. So, “observing the Buddha” means contemplating the Buddha’s merits and virtues. This is following the Buddha’s wisdom and admiring the Buddha. So, they formed aspirations and made vows to follow the Buddha’s wisdom and form Great Vehicle aspirations. These 2000 people ”wholeheartedly observed the Buddha”. This means that they looked to the Buddha’s wisdom and formed aspirations after deciding to attain Buddhahood in the future. So, “For this reason they were able to accept the Dharma of the Great Vehicle.” They were able to attain it. “Ananda, look! These people are so reverent. They wholeheartedly observe the Buddha. They have this intent to follow the Great. So, they can accept the Great Vehicle Dharma. Thus, I need to bestow predictions on them.” So, the Buddha did not wait for them to speak out or give rise to thoughts. Seeing that they were so focused as they observed the Buddha, He knew that they already had this mindset. He did not need to wait for the 2000 to say, “Why haven’t you called my name?” He did not need to wait for them to ask Him. “Why didn’t you say my name?” Even before they asked, the Buddha began to tell them that they can all attain Buddhahood. This is the Buddha’s compassion. Even before they gave rise to this thought, the Buddha began [telling them this]. He did not wait for them to speak out or for them to give rise to thoughts. The Buddha just bestowed predictions on them. Indeed! As Buddhist practitioners, we must make such a mindset. [Our minds] need to pervade the universe and we need to follow these principles in our practice. The Buddha taught us that we must walk the Bodhisattva-path. The Bodhisattva-path is “actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions”. This is how we should treat people at all times. Everyone is a Buddha. With a reverent mind, it is natural that “our enlightened nature becomes one with the universe, and we attain the Buddha’s all-encompassing wisdom as vast as the ocean.” This will not be difficult. We must be mindful and pay attention to time, space and our relationships. When we listen to the Dharma, we must first understand all worldly matters and take care of worldly tasks. This is something very ordinary. We must not see the Dharma as something we cannot accomplish. “It requires such a long time! I cannot wait!” This is not right. We have to do this. Yes! We do not need to wait long into the future. Right now, this very moment is a countless number of kalpas, and infinite Buddhas are right in front of us. If we can recognize this, we will very quickly be able to accomplish our spiritual practice. Therefore, we must always be mindful!
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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