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 “partaking” in various aspects of life:
We partake in consuming meat, plants, and minerals.
We partake in the sacred nectar known as “amrita.”
However, the utmost significance lies in partaking in the life force energy called “qi.”
(Prior to partaking in anything that had 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 unclothed, 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).
Awareness of the Great Perfection arising within.
Continuously abiding in “meditative cultivation,” as this is where essence of the mind lies.
The cultivation of “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 authenticate the profoundness of each practice. “Realization” itself is the “Dharma.”
The cultivation of “benefitting others”:
Regard benefitting sentient beings as a first priority.
Cultivate love and compassion for all individuals and living beings.
Embrace the teachings of Mahayana and give rise to great bodhicitta, while cultivating the understanding of “no-self.” Instead of solely focusing on oneself, 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 wordly possessions, such as homes, 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 release all that is worldly is the essence of “great compassion.”
***
Authentic masters with true virtues do not appear frequently, but only for fleeting moments.
Every individual, from beginningless time, has experienced countless cycles of transmigration and rebirth, not only unable to attain accomplishment for themselves, but also unable to help others reach accomplishment. Now that one has encountered Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu, one should seek refuge, diligently study Buddhism, and gain knowledge of 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 transient time, then they will quickly vanish like “passing clouds and mist.”