Encouragement from Others in the Dharma Gate of Recollection of the Buddha (Buddhānusmṛti)

Answer: External encouragement refers to being motivated by external conditions and causes; it can be said to be the Buddha's power of blessing. Especially when recollecting the Buddha, the recollection of the Buddha will evoke a response from the Buddha. When the Buddha responds, He will know the thoughts and aspirations of the practitioner who recollects the Buddha, and will bestow blessings upon the practitioner, helping the practitioner strengthen his power on the Path.

The blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas generally manifest in maturing sentient beings' five faculties and five powers. The five faculties include the faculty of faith, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of diligence, the faculty of meditation (samādhi), and the faculty of wisdom. From these five faculties, the five powers arise. Under the operation of these five powers, sentient beings make continuous progress on the Path of practice; when the mind attains purity (viśuddha), there will be gains and accomplishments.