The importance of vows

Whenever cultivating Amitabha Buddha Dharma, we will recall that he made forty eight great vows. Amitabha started his cultivation in Yin Di (the state of practising the Buddha religion) and became enlightened as Buddha in Guo Di (Resulting Buddhahood). Western Pure Land came into being as a result of the forty eight great vows Amitabha Buddha made. It was not a feat that was accomplished within a kalpa. This shows the importance of vow-making.

The vows of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Almost all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have made great vows. Among them, Amitabha Buddha made forty eight vows, Medicine Buddha made twelve great vows, and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra and Manjusri made ten vows each .

When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva made vows in the first of the ten Bodhisattva stages to perfect enlightenment and nirvana, he was immediately uplifted to the eight stage of enlightenment - this shows how strong his vows were.

A vow is just like a compass that gives us direction in life. Therefore as Buddhists we must make vows - be it small or great. After which we must strive to fulfill our vows. Our cultivation will have no focus if we have made no vow. A vow is a source of power, a direction to follow.

My vows

"I shall sacrifice myself and break my bones to succor all sentient beings."

Ksitigarbha's vows

"I shall not be enlightened as a Buddha, until the hell is free from all sentient beings." This vow alone will qualify him as a Bodhisattva.

Don't make empty vows

Vows are important , we must try our best to fulfill the vows we made. But remember not to make empty vows. Once a disciple of mine made an empty vow by saying "Let all the vows of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors and Divine beings of ten directions and three lives be my vows." As he did not know all these vows, he was making an empty vow. We must strive to achieve our vows.

Om Mani Padme Hum