White Tara said:
“The precious sword of the yogi is to protect one’s vows and precepts. Only by protecting one’s vows and precepts can one cultivate in accord with the Dharma. Everyday life itself is cultivation, and these daily experiences are connected to the observance of vows and precepts.”
“What is cultivation in everyday life?”
White Tara explained:
The cultivation of “eating”:
We eat meat, plants, and minerals.
We partake of the sacred nectar known as “amrita.”
Most importantly, we partake of the vital energy called “qi.”
(Before partaking in anything that has life, it is crucial to make offerings, perform deliverance, and express heartfelt gratitude.)
The cultivation of “clothing”:
Transforming the dharma robes we wear into spiritual armor.
When wearing light clothing or no clothing, successfully practice to generate inner fire or pure light, which becomes our true “clothing.”
The cultivation of “speech”:
Chanting the secret mantras in all our endeavors.
Purifying our speech.
We should use gentle, amiable, kind, and truthful language, or remain silent to allow the energy to flow.
We should avoid meaningless utterances as much as possible.
We should always avoid words that break our vows and precepts. Speech is “mantra.”
The cultivation of the “body”:
Offering deep reverence by prostrating before the sacred altar, prostrating to the vastness of empty space.
Circumambulating and paying homage to temples, stupas, and altars.
Purifying and cleansing the practitioner’s body.
The body should be still and harmonious, embodying the essence of purity.
The cultivation of the “mind”:
The experience of great bliss, purity, luminosity, and the understanding of emptiness (sunyata).
The arising within of awareness of the Great Perfection.
Continuously abiding in “meditative cultivation,” as this is where the essence of the mind lies.
The cultivation of the “Dharma”:
Be focused.
Engage in the Preliminary Practices, Root Guru Yoga, Personal Deity Yoga, the practice of harnessing one’s vital energy (qi), the balance of energy pathways (channels), guarding against energy depletion (non-leakage), inner fire (kundalini), refining the vital essence (drops), the Heruka Practice, Highest Yoga Tantra, and Great Perfection Yoga.
Devote yourself to each Dharma practice, uphold your vows and precepts, and embrace the teachings.
Personally experience and verify the profundity of each practice. “Realization” itself is the “Dharma.”
The cultivation of “benefiting others”:
Regard benefiting sentient beings as the first priority.
Cultivate love and compassion for all people and living beings.
Embrace the teachings of Mahayana and give rise to great bodhicitta, while cultivating the understanding of “no-self.” Instead of focusing solely on yourself, prioritize helping and benefiting others.
The cultivation of “great compassion”:
Regard your enemies as if they were your parents or elders.
Extend your love and care equally to all sentient beings, just as you love and care for yourself.
Regard worldly possessions, such as houses, cars, jewelry, and money, as fleeting and insubstantial, like the transitory nature of manure.
Offer assistance and support to others.
Give generously to others.
Being able to let go of everything worldly is the essence of “great compassion.”
***
Authentic masters with true virtue do not appear often, but only for brief moments.
Every individual, since beginningless time, has experienced countless cycles of transmigration and rebirth, not only unable to attain accomplishment for themselves, but also unable to help others attain accomplishment.
Now that one has encountered Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu, one should take refuge, diligently study Buddhism, and learn the Dharma.
Otherwise, one will only become even more lost in the endless cycle of rebirth and suffering.
The karmic affinity of the appearance of Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu.
The karmic affinity of your birth.
If these affinities are overlooked during this fleeting time, then they will quickly vanish like “passing clouds and mist.”