The Grace and Virtue of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (I)

From the moment a person first encounters the Buddha's teachings until finally attaining buddhahood, at least half of one's karmic obstructions—even the greater part of them—are borne and eliminated by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In fact, even the very conditions by which each sentient being comes to learn Buddhism are the result of the blessings and mindful protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. If one relied solely on oneself, with such heavy karmic obstructions, it would already be extremely difficult to even encounter the Buddha's teachings, let alone practice them, let alone avoid taking wrong paths, let alone achieve small accomplishments, and still less attain liberation.

Even bodhisattvas at the stage of equal enlightenment and wondrous enlightenment still need the mindful protection of the Buddhas in order to smoothly attain buddhahood. How much more so for every ordinary sentient being: without relying on the blessings and mindful protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, every single step is fraught with difficulties, beset with thorns, making progress impossible—nowhere to set one's foot.

The kindness of the teacher is vast and boundless. Therefore, we should truly be grateful to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, always harboring a heart of repaying their kindness: believing the Buddha's words, honoring the Buddha's teachings, keeping the Buddha's precepts, doing no evil and practicing all good. Taking the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as our teachers, we shall never betray our teacher or abandon the teachings. We should make great vows to benefit ourselves and benefit others, eliminate afflictions, purify our own minds, and dedicate all the wholesome deeds, wholesome vows, and wholesome dharmas we cultivate to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, thereby repaying the kindness of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for their salvation and deliverance.