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Four Great Vows 四弘誓愿
Jan. 29 | 众生无边誓愿度。 烦恼无尽誓愿断。 法门无量誓愿学。 佛道无上誓愿成。 [Of] sentient beings [who are] boundless, [I] vow [to] deliver [them all]. [Of] afflictions [that are] inexhaustible, [I] vow [to] sever [them all]. [Of]...
Cultivate & Uphold Faithful Understanding 修持信解
Jan. 23 | 诸善男子， 汝等当信解 如来诚谛之语。 复告大众， 汝等当信解 如来诚谛之语。 又复告诸大众， 汝等当信解 如来诚谛之语。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《妙法莲华经》 （如来寿量品） ‘All good men...
See All Kindly
Dec. 26 | 大慈视一切， 怨亲等无异。 一切有识类， 咸皆知此事。 – 大智度论 （龙树菩萨） [With] great loving-kindness see all [beings], [with] enemies [and] close ones equally without difference. [Of] all kinds [of beings] with...
Hell, Heaven, Liberation
Dec. 12 | Those who have ignorance will engage in bad karma and go to hell. Those who have ignorance will create good karma and go to heaven. Those who are wise will go beyond karma, and attain liberation.* – Chandrakirti * By progressing towards purity, swiftest...
Four Seeds To Guard
Dec. 4 | 若不去淫，断一切清净种； 若不去酒，断一切智慧种； 若不去盗，断一切福德种； 若不去肉，断一切慈悲种。 – 净土宗六祖永明大师 《永明延寿禅师全书》 If not departing from lust, this severs...
Should We Offer Food Even Long After Departure?
Nov. 27 | Question: When offering food during Qingming season and such, many will say aloud – ‘May so-and-so to come and eat.’ Is this right? Answer: There is no need to call anyone by name. Simply offering the food with the clear intention along...
Contentment For Peace & Bliss
Nov. 19 | 知足之人，虽卧地上，犹为安乐； 不知足者，虽处天堂，亦不称意。 – 释迦牟尼佛 《佛遗教经》 Those who know contentment, although lying on the ground, nevertheless have peace and bliss. Those who not know contentment, although...
Verses On Stupas
Nov. 8 | 见佛塔时，当愿众生， 尊重如塔，受天人供。 When seeing Buddhist stupas,¹ [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, [attain] deep respect like [the] stupas [do], receiving heavenly [and] human beings’ offerings.’² 敬心观塔，当愿众生， 诸天及人，所共瞻仰。 [With]...
Verses On Buddhas
Nov. 1 | 若得见佛，当愿众生， 得无碍眼，见一切佛。 谛观佛时，当愿众生， 皆如普贤，端正严好。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第130-131偈) If attaining sight [of a] Buddha,* [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, attain...
Verses On Summer
Oct. 25 | 盛暑炎毒，当愿众生， 舍离众恼，一切皆尽。 暑退凉初，当愿众生， 证无上法，究竟清凉。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第127-128偈) [During] sweltering summer’s* fierce heat, [reflect that] ‘May...
Are Cordyceps Considered Vegetarian?
Oct. 25 | Question: Are cordyceps considered vegetarian? Answer: There are cordyceps that are grown out of the bodies of caterpillars, usually sold retaining the form of caterpillars. As the definition of what is ‘vegetarian’ is that it must be free...
Verses On Water
Oct. 17 | 洗浴身体，当愿众生， 身心无垢，内外光洁。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第126偈) Washing and bathing the body, [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings’ bodies and minds be without defilements,* [with] inside and outside...
Verse On Chanting
Oct. 11 | 讽诵经时， 当愿众生， 顺佛所说， 总持不忘。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第129偈) When chanting sūtras, [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, accord with [the] Buddha[‘s teachings] as said, totally retaining*...
