Vow-Power Accomplishes the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

📖Master’s Reading

A life without vow-power is like a ship that has lost its compass, only drifting with the current. People grow slack and lost often because they lack a clear direction. In truth, the buddhas and bodhisattvas accomplished buddhahood because they made great vows; not one first became a buddha or bodhisattva and only then made a vow.

Open the scriptures — which bodhisattva did not make a great vow? Medicine Buddha vowed that if he could accomplish it he would benefit beings, and so at last became Medicine Buddha; Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva made the great vow "until the hells are empty, I vow not to become a buddha"; Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara, too, because of the vast vow to save beings, received the blessing to grow a thousand arms and a thousand eyes.

All great accomplishment begins from "vow." Only a great vow brings great accomplishment; a great vow equals success. Without great vow-power, one cannot accomplish the future, for once difficulty comes the mind wavers and shrinks. A great vow is like a clear marker, giving you the powerful drive to advance no matter what.

Do not fear making a great vow for yourself; when you expand your gaze from narrow private gain to "benefiting beings," life connects to the energy of the cosmos. As great as the vow, so strong the energy. First the vow, then the road — when you bravely make the vast altruistic vow, the whole dharmadhātu comes to accomplish you.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• First the vow, then the road.
• Understand that without a great vow one is like a ship without a compass.
• The buddhas and bodhisattvas all accomplished by great vows.
• Hold the great vow unwavering and you attain success.
• Expand the heart to benefit beings and connect to the dharmadhātu.