Infinite Life of Bodhicitta

On July 07, 2018, we arrived in Johor, Malaysia, to hold a Medicine Buddha Sutra and the Thrice Memorial Ceremony. In the morning, we recited the Medicine Buddha Sutra and learned about the Twelve Aspirations of Medicine Buddha and the Pure Land of Vaiduryanirbhasa (pure lapis lazuli). One of his main aspirations is to lengthen the longevity and wellbeing of sentient beings. Most importantly, we are learning to aspire our bodhicitta like the Medicine Buddha and to uncover our Buddha nature. That would be the ultimate longevity of life.

All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas began their work for the benefits of sentient being by generating bodhicitta. Only when one has cultivated bodhicitta can enter the power of aspiration, furthermore, to create a Buddha field. This universe is made up of the aspirations of Buddhas. As for us, we should learn to generate bodhicitta so to the redefine our life larger than individual, family, to the community, country, and the whole world.

A pure land, or Buddha field, is where all Buddhas benefit sentient beings. Every Buddha establishes a pure land by the power of aspiration. For examples, Western Pure Land of Sukhavati was created by the power of the Amitabha’s forty-eight aspirations; Eastern Pure Land of Vaiduryanirbhasa by Medicine Buddha’s twelve aspirations; and this world of samsara is the field of Shakyamuni with his five hundred aspirations. So what is the purpose of Dharma practice? It is to bring beneficence to sentient beings like Buddhas. To be blissful, be freed from sufferings, be inconceivably wise, and be just as aspired like all Buddhas. 

As we study the sutras, we learn about the aspirations of Buddhas. Hence, a network is made for us to learn about their aspirations. No matter what we do, we must aspire to be enlightened. This would require mass accumulation of merits and wisdom – which can only be acquired from working with sentient beings. Carry out compassion among sentient beings with profundity to perfect bodhicitta.

While the Thrice Memorial Ceremony in the afternoon is mainly dedicated for the deceased, however, we are also liberating ourselves from afflictions, attachments, and all impurities – then we’d realize the pure bodhicitta. Through recitation, we’d feel serenity within. Keep it going to purify the impurities and at last, we can be liberated from sufferings and acquire ultimate happiness.