Hope Warriors Dharma Talks-Why Heaven Belongs to the Poor Hearted Person?

Well, there are the Universal four vows, wishes and vows for all Mahayana Buddhist. All schools of Mahayana Buddhism in Japan chant this poem. The four vows, usually translated to just only as a vow, but originally it is wish and vow, which is really, really strong. Because it’s not just wish, it’s just a strong, strong determination that means I will achieve this no matter what, even if I die or even if I am repeatedly born a million times. It’s a strong desire of the Bodhisattva.

I mean as a Bodhisattva, in the beginning of Mahayana Buddhism, all the practitioners were called Bodhisattva. It is to give up one’s enlightenment and to send them all other people awakened to the enlightenment and to rebirth to the Pure Land  and Buddha world. 

The infinity of joy and these four vows, wishes and vows, it says “Seigan” in Japanese. 

The first one is : because all beings are infinite. I will rescue them all.I will vow to rescue them all. 

Why is it written that all beings are infinitives? Look, how many people can you help? And look, how many people you can’t. You don’t feel like it’s infinitive. These  include the people who are living now but also including the spirits who used to live on the planet before. Not only this planet but  the universe and it is infinite. 

Please listen to the full talk below. Thank you