Embracing the Blessings of Medicine Buddha’s Merits and Vows
Hello, dear friends!Welcome to this episode of the podcast, brought to you by the Australia Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated.
Today, we’ll explore how to open our hearts to receive the boundless blessings of Medicine Buddha’s merits and vows.
1. Correct Understanding: The true intention of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is to serve all beings wholeheartedly, safeguarding our welfare unconditionally. They do not need our offerings, as they are already complete in all aspects. When we pay homage or make offerings, we are creating a karmic connection with the Buddha, establishing the conditions to receive their blessings.
2.The Key to Receiving Blessings:
The key to receiving Medicine Buddha’s blessings lies in **faith**. This faith is not blind superstition but a deep trust in the inconceivable power of the Buddha’s vows. Medicine Buddha’s twelve great vows encompass eliminating suffering, dispelling afflictions, removing karmic obstacles, and establishing right understanding. With faith, you have the “hands” to receive the Buddha’s merits; without faith, it’s like having no hands to grasp this precious gift. Medicine Buddha’s lapis lazuli light shines upon us constantly, transcending time and space, never far away. Yet, our minds are often clouded by delusions and afflictions, preventing us from perceiving this light. How can we feel these blessings? It’s simple—start in this very moment. Even for just one second, calm your mind and focus on Medicine Buddha’s vows. Visualize the lapis lazuli light working within you, clearing your three obstacles. Your mind may wander, and delusions may arise, but that’s okay. Even one second of connection counts, and one minute counts as one minute. As long as you try, this light will manifest in your heart.
3.“Formatting” to Clear the Three Obstacles: Medicine Buddha’s vows are not just a gift; they help “format” your mind, clearing the three obstacles—karmic retribution, karmic obstacles, and afflictive obstacles. Karmic retribution includes physical ailments or congenital defects, the results of past karma. Karmic obstacles are like those of beings in hell, who lack the opportunity to create positive karma and can only endure suffering. Afflictive obstacles stem from ignorance—we misunderstand reality, giving rise to greed, anger, arrogance, doubt, and other afflictions, all rooted in wrong views. Medicine Buddha’s vows act like a selfless cleaner, purifying your mind of these “filth and debris,” clearing the three obstacles to leave your mind spotless and pure. After this cleansing, the Buddha “installs” merits such as right understanding, diligence, discipline, and generosity, equipping you with the resources for spiritual practice. This is not just a gift—it’s a complete process of cleaning, installing, and fine-tuning until you can fully utilize these merits. Such is the Buddha’s profound grace!
4.Recognizing Delusions:
Why is it hard to receive the Buddha’s blessings? Because we are bound by delusions. Delusions are illusory, yet we mistake them for reality. We chase greed, anger, and arrogance, unaware that they only bring suffering. Delusions are like a deceiver, leading us to harm ourselves and remain trapped in the cycle of samsara. The first step to awakening is recognizing the illusory and harmful nature of delusions. When you truly see their destructiveness, you’ll no longer follow them. This realization is a specialized wisdom that breaks through delusions. When you stop clinging to delusions, your mind gains the space to focus on Medicine Buddha’s vows and receive the blessings of the lapis lazuli light.
Thank you all! May everyone feel the blessings of Medicine Buddha!
