Sunday Dharma Function – “Practices and Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Chapter”

During the Dharma function on the morning of 15th December, a congregation of 60 devotees recited the “Medicine Buddha Sutra” and “Prayers and Wishes to Medicine Buddha” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Afterwards Venerable Rulian expounded the meanings of “Chapter on the Practices and Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva”. From stories regarding the Buddha’s personal conduct, the meaning, virtue and practice methods of two of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Ten Great Vows were explained:

1. Respecting all Buddha
2. Praising the Tathagata

Methods of how to enter Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Vows through application of Humanistic Buddhism’s “3 Good” and “4 Giving” were explained. By purifying three types of Karma from our action, speech and thoughts, vexation can be eliminated. Unlimited compassion can be generated from our heart and our intrinsic nature’s inherent illuminating wisdom can be uncovered. These are all Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Great Vows, which are generated from the Bodhisattva’s intrinsic nature’s mind, and are magnificently practiced through: “Thought after thought without pause. Act, speak and think without tiring”. In order to benefit all sentient beings, incomprehensible Great Wisdom are generated from these Vows and Practices; from which all mundane and supramundane entanglements are transcended, and state of liberation is achieved. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Practices and Vows have been included within one amongst five of the major Sutras practiced by the Pure Land School, according to which three kinds of necessary resources for rebirth in the Pure Land are fulfilled.