The Ten Great Vows

A Buddha (Eastern) is a person who in this lifetime has come to an understanding of who they are, it is not limited to any culture, it is often referred to as self-aware, self-consciousness, or enlightenment. Any person can become a Buddha, and many people have experienced this before they die, it is called the long stare, where there is no seperation between this world and the next, only one life.

From Early Greek, Middle East, Indian and Asian History we know of very many people who have experienced being self-aware, self=consciouness or enlightenment, all of these people expressed the same, to be true to your self, to be the first person of expression.

As we know, there are three kinds of people whom Buddha cannot lead them to cultivation : those without affinity, those without faith and those without will. We know that Buddha is very benevolent and his vow is to bring salvation to the world. Then why did Buddha reject these three kinds of people? Well, these three kinds of people are really impossible to be saved.

Firstly, let us take the example of acquiring Tao. If we did not cultivate during our past lives, how can we be born in this third stage and have the chance to meet the Ming Shi who bring salvation to the San Cao?

There is a saying :

7. "Rootless grass cannot be noursihed by heavy rain. A person without affinity will not benefit from the widespread of Buddha's teaching."

8. "A person with affinity will be born during a Buddha's lifetime. A person without affinity will be born after Buddha's lifetime."

The seniors also said:

83. "Fifty years ago, the Great Tao was not widely transmitted yet. Fifty years from now, it would be quite difficult to acuqire the Great Tao."

Thus we know that affinity is very important in order to acquire the Great Tao.

Secondly, why can't Buddha save thouse who do not have faith? This is because they may have the affinity to meet with the Great Tao and the Ming Shi, but unfortunately, they do not believe them. They wonder whether Tao is a deception and remain hesitant in exploring further. No matter how much you have told them, they are just unable to accept it. This group of people will not be easily persuaded to acquire the Great Tao.

There is a common saying:

84. "If you do not recognise Immortal Han Xiang Zi when you meet him, it is impossible to meet Immortal Lyu Dong Bin later on." *33

On the other hand, affinity without faith is also insufficient. That is to say that although they have the affinity but do not have faith, they will miss the chance of acquiring Tao. It will be quite impossible for them to look for the same opportunity again. That is why we say "without faith one will not have the chance to acquire Tao".

Lastly, those who do not wish to seek salvation will not be saved. Vows are necessary to show us the direction for cultivation. Although every one of us makes different vows, we should all aim to be better people, taking after Buddha's footsteps so that we can return to Heaven. Making vows are also another way to show our sincerity to cultivate ourselves and it is impossible to gain ultimate englightenment without making any vows.

The Yin Shi and the Bao Shi *34 have vowed in front of the altar to guarantee that the Tao and the Tian Ming are true. They have also guaranteed that we are good and kind hearted people. As for us, we have to pledge our faith in Tao by making the Ten Great Vows on the day of Tao acquisition, we might have forgotten them by now. So let's revise them together.

(10) ii) Always Be Diligent In Our Cultivation (Ladies)

Worldly and lustful desires are the obstacles in Tao cultivation. If we were unable to overcome these obstacles, then we may seek for temporary ease and comfort in them. Consequently, we will become lazy and ignorant towards cultivation. If we do not seize this golden opportunity to cultivate ourselves, then we are bound to regret later.

As what Buddha had said:

"All things are impermanent, strive on with diligence."

Hence, putting in our best effort in whatever we do and to be diligent in our cultivation are two very important attributes of enlightenment that we should bear in mind. With constant and diligent practice of Tao, one is treading the holy path to Heaven.

All the ten Great Vows mentioned above were pledged by us when we acquire Tao. Dian Chuan Shi also told us that if we were unable to fulfill our vows, it is impossible for us to return to Heaven. Today, we have already realised the importance of Tao cultivation. Thus we must follow our vows and practice them until the very end. In this way we will be able to attain enlightenment and return to our origin.

(10) i) To Act According To Our Ability (Gentlemen)

There is not class distinction among Tao cultivators. Everybody is expected to put in their best effort that is within their capabilities.

The Doctrine Of Means:

91. "The superior man does what is proper to the life circumstances he is in; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a positin of wealth and honour, he does what is required from him in that position. In a position of poverty and humble circumstances, he does what he can under such circumstances. Situated in uncivilised countries, he does what is appropriate and proper in uncivilised countries."

During our cultivation, if we can perform the three contributions to our best effort, then we will definitely be able to return to Heaven.

(9) Do Not Refrain From Propagating The Great Tao To Others

It is Heaven's grace that the Great Tao is widely propagated and salvation is brought to the masses. If we do not propagate the Great Tao to others after acquiring and realising its preciousness, then we can only establish ourselves and not others. How then can we help our Teacher to fulfill the vow of saving all sentient beings? The Saints and Sages taught us to establish ourselves as well as others and to practice Tao so that we can save all those who are deserving. Furthermore, all sentient beings come from Lao Mu, and they are still struggling in this sorrowful rebirth cycle.

The ancient said:

90. "Can we bear to see our brothers and sisters lingering in the sea of suffering?"

(8) Do Not Disclose The Heavenly Secrets

The Great Tao is the secret of Heaven. It is not easily acquired during ancient times. However, now being the third and last stage of its propagation and Heaven is merciful to allow wide propagation of the Great Tao. The Heavenly secrets can only be transmitted by the Ming Shi who has the Tian Ming. Even the founders of the three religions (Buddhism, Taoismm & Confucianism) were not supposed to reveal the secrets openly. Thus we must not disclose the Heavenly secrets even though we have acquired it, or else we will have to bear the punishments from Heaven.

(7) Do Not Disobey The Rules And Regulations Laid Down By Sages

The rules and regulations laid down by Sages are the commandments that we must follow. If we disobey them, it is like a train deviating from its rail track or a boat without oar. Both of these situations can be very dangerous. Similarly, cultivators must be cautious and obey the rules and regulations, otherwise we will lose the affinity we have with Buddha. So how then are we going to transcend from the reincarnation cycle?

(6) Not To Be Disrespectful And Look Down On Our Seniors

Ji Gong Huo Fo said:

89. "The seniors are busy helping you to achieve your aim in cultivation because they want you to return to Heaven. They are afraid that you will be enchained by your indulgence in this material world. They wanted you to attend the Long Hua Hui and achieve Heavenly peerage together."

Now that we have acquired Tao and transcended from the birth and death cycle and also released from the sufferings of reincarnation, we are able to escape calamities and return to Heaven. Aren't all these realised because of Heaven's grace, teacher's virtue and the seniors' effort in propagation of the Great Tao? The seniors are afraid that our faith is not strong enough and that we do not clearly understand the Truth. Thus from time to time, we will notice that the seniors constantly urge us to cultivate and propagate Tao. Our seniors care for us in every possible way, but how many juniors understand and sympathise the seniors? They have spent a lot of effort in order to propagate Tao and also help us achieve our aim. Thus, we should not show disrespect and look down on our seniors though sometimes they may be strict on us.

(5) Not To Be Deceitful Towards Our Teacher

It is considered deceitful if we who do not observe the rules and regulations or the admonishments laid down by our Teacher and Sages. We should show gratitude and appreciation for having this opportunity to acquire Tao. Let us ask ourselves if the Ming Shi did not descend, how can we board the ferry to Heaven and liberate from the sea of suffering?

We must know that our Teacher ahs to manoeuvre the ferry throughout the world in order to propagate the Great Tao. He has gone through a lot of hardship to enlighten all of us. Unfortunately, very few people really understand how our teacher feels, and they are still ignorant in their behaviour.

There is a saying:

88. "The teacher who pointed the Great Way to us should be respected throughout our lives. Once we become the disciples of our Teacher, we will be his disciples forever."

Thus we must be grateful to our Teacher. For if we betray or deceive our Teacher, we can not escape the punishments regardless of how much merits we have accumulated.

(4) Not To Withdraw From Advancement

If we do not advance, we will be left behind by others. One possible reason for not advancing may be we are not able to recognise the truth and our faith is not strong. Other reasons may be due to slandering and defamation that makes us waver and we start to regret and have intention of retreating. If that is the case, then we will lose the affinity we have with Buddha.

Withdrawing may seem to be small matter to us. It is a big matter to our ancestors because the may be awaiting for us to accumulate merits to relieve them from their suffering in Hell. It is a pity that many sentient beings are short sighted. They only care about the present without making long-term plans for the future. The Great Tao is the path to enlightenment. Tao cultivation can be compared to a boat sailing against the current - it must forge ahead all the time otherwise it will be driven backwards.

Thus, Tao cultivators must be determined to move forward and be undaunted by repeated setbacks. Although Heaven may seem to be far away, but with continued perseverance, we will be able to reach there on of these days.

(3) Not To Be Fictitious In Our Endeavours

After acquiring Tao, we must be truthful and sincere. We must not feign compliance just to please others. Neither should we make use of Tao to gain fame and compliments. We must be honest in all our undertakings. Thus cultivators must learn to be modest and try to improve ourselves truthfully, only then can we benefit from Tao cultivation.

(2) ii) Be Truthful In Our Cultivation (Ladies)

From the Scriptures:

87. "If we have committed a lot of sins in our past lives, we will be born as a female in this life."

Thus women have a lot of inconveniences. Fortunately, we are not living in the third stage and Heaven is very merciful to let women have equal rights as men. Regardless of men or women, being born as a human is not easy because it enables us to cultivate and accumulate merits. It is especially so in this last stage whereby the Saints, Sages, Immoratal and Buddhas incarnate into the mortal world to propagate the Great Truth. Hence we ought to be truthful in our cultivation, otherwise we will not be able to return to Heaven.

(2) i) Be Truthful In Our Repentance (Gentlemen)

It is never too late to repent for our past mistakes and sincerely mend our ways.

There is saying:

85. "We are not Saints, thus we make mistakes. But if we can mend our ways, then it is considered a wholesome action."

Zi Lu *36 was very happy when someone pointed out his mistakes. Kin Yu of Xia Dynasty, fell on his knees in gratitude when he heard of words of goodwill. Thus as cultivators, we must learn from the Saints and model upon them. We must be willing to admit and correct our mistakes after knowing them. Otherwise, we are deceiving ourselves and Heaven. We must know that justice and retribution will come to everyone in due course. Good or evil retribution will follow us just like our shadows.

There is a saying:

86. "Having committed a lot of sins, it is rare for a person to repent."

Thus if we can repent truthfully, Heaven will not punish those who have repented.

(1) Be Sincere And Constantly Adhere To The Great Tao

We must be truthful and sincere and adhere to the Great Tao at all times. When Yan Hui *35 came to know of a meritorious act, he kept it in his heart steadfastly and never lose it again. Thus we must learn from Yan Hui. We are so fortunate to have acquired Tao in this last stage of its propagation. If we are not sincere and did not constantly adhere to the Great Tao, then we may waver when met with demonic interference, slandering and criticsism. We may end up achieveing nothing.