..续本文上一页ting vows. As you slowly become more persistent, your vows will gradually be fulfilled. A vow is of little strength if it was made once and not repeated.

　　When Buddhists perform their daily services in the morning and evening, included is the recitation of ”The Four Great Vows”:

　　I vow to deliver innumerable sentient beings.

　　I vow to cut off endless vexations.

　　I vow to master limitless approaches to Dharma.

　　I vow to attain Supreme Buddhahood.

　　Many people even just after making such vows will often sulk as before or quarrel with family and friends, only to feel upset and remorseful afterwards. Recalling that a moment ago they just made vows to save innumerable sentient beings and cut off endless vexations, they have instead broken the vows. So I tell them that as long as they continually make vows, the situation will gradually change and the strength of their vows will grow with the passing of each day.

　　The Different Stages of Generating Vows

　　Generating vows can also be thought of as directing the mind to the path of cultivation and giving rise to the Bodhi mind. There are five stages, beginning with the ordinary person and ending with the attainment of Buddhahood.

　　The Path of Man

　　The word ”Path” in the Path of Cultivation is like the journey of life. The experience and direction of life is known as the way of life. Each person living in this world has their own path to tread and this consists of short term, middle term and long term goals within the journey of life. Begin by learning what is close at hand and then try seeing what is far ahead. Much like when embarking on a journey, you must begin with a single step and move forward one steady step at a time.

　　Thus we know that, on a human level, directing the mind to the path of cultivation begins with fulfilling one”s responsibilities to the utmost and equipping ourselves with good character and virtues. When a person does not possess the basic requirements of being a human being, nor behave or think like one, then that person may be criticized as being ”a beast dressed as a man”.

　　Why is this so

　　 First, they are pitiful in that they do not comprehend what it means to be human. Second, they lack self-control, unable to withstand temptations, stimulation and threats from the environment. Thus they lose control over their mind and body.

　　The mission of Dharma Drum Mountain is: ”Uplifting the character of mankind and building a pure land on Earth”. This means starting from the very basics of being human. Hopefully, everyone will bring out appropriate behaviors in the different roles that relate to their identity. In other words, in order to direct the mind to the path of cultivation towards Buddhahood, one must generate vows to fulfill oneself.

　　The Path of Devas

　　Directing the mind to the Path of Man is only fulfilling the obligations and responsibilities of being human. But those who cultivate the Path of Devas commit themselves to serving the whole society through contribution. The scope of care, contribution and service encompasses everyone in the world. Such people as these who have big hearts and who perform innumerable wholesome acts accumulate merits that lead to a heavenly existence.

　　However, those that cultivate the path of Devas only think about human beings on earth. They have not yet thought of other living beings nor have they thought of those living in other worlds. Also, they are still intent on seeking heavenly comfort.

　　The Path of Self Liberation

　　Next is the path of liberation. This refers to detachment from the four elements and five skandhas, so that negative karmic activity will not arise, vexations will not appear and the ocean of birth and death in the three realms of existence is transcended.

　　The Path of the Bodhisattva

　　Cultivating the Path of the Bodhisattva combines the merits of the Paths of Man, Devas and Self Liberation. This path seeks more than to establish good karmic relationships in the human world. It entails all sentient beings in the ten directions of the past, present and future, as objects of their service, contribution, concern and care. In addition, the performance of wholesome acts is not for the sake of positive karmic results. Mahayana Buddhism always encourages the cultivation of the Path of the Bodhisattva. The path of the Bodhisattva, however, must begin with making wishes, generating vows and fulfilling them.

　　The Path of the Buddha

　　Finally, the supreme stage is the Path of the Buddha, which is making vows for what is known in Sanskrit as ”anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”, which means ”the ultimate supreme perfect enlightenment”. The Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, as well as many other Sutras have always encouraged us to vow to attain ”anuttara-smayak-sambodhi”. This means not merely generating vows to accomplish the Paths of Man and Devas, but also the Path of Self Liberation, and more importantly, to generate the Boddhisattva vow. Supreme Buddhahood is attained upon the perfection of the Bodhisattva vow.

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