Compiled according to the teachings of the Master
Author: Fafu
Similarly, we find ourselves hindered from cultivating good karma. It is as though we, like the bodhisattvas in the Great Treasury Sutra who initiated the assembly to arouse the Bodhi mind, have begun to doubt our ability to attain enlightenment. We engage in actions that we should not, forgetting our right mindfulness. We constantly dwell on unwholesome thoughts, forgetting them as soon as we remind ourselves to cultivate wholesome ones. This is precisely what is meant by karmic obstacles. We are unable to accumulate positive karma, yet the Medicine Buddha can empower us to overcome these hindrances.
For instance, the abilities to uphold precepts and practice generosity are crucial foundations for spiritual cultivation. These abilities are essential for spiritual progress, yet we may lack them. Fortunately, the Buddha’s teachings provide us with a comprehensive path to develop these qualities. By eliminating the three obstacles—karmic obstacles, afflictive obstacles, and obstacles of the realm—the Buddha’s teachings equip us with the necessary tools.
It is important to understand that the Buddha’s compassion does not end with simply removing these obstacles. He diligently cleanses our minds, making them pure and spotless, just like cleaning a filthy room until it is immaculate. The Buddha’s efforts are akin to cleaning our spiritual cesspools, leaving no trace of impurity. Given the extent of our defilements, it is truly remarkable how much effort the Buddha has put into our purification.
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas tirelessly work to purify our minds. They first cleanse us of the three obstacles, akin to cleaning and disinfecting a filthy room. They even purify our deepest defilements, comparable to cleaning a cesspool. Once our minds are purified, they bestow upon us the virtues of precepts and generosity. With these newfound abilities, we can engage in virtuous practices with diligence. This is far beyond simply giving us a gift package; it is a profound act of purification. Consider the karma we have created; is it truly deserving of such selfless compassion from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? The mere task of purifying our minds is arduous enough.
Moreover, the Buddha patiently installs these qualities within us and fine-tunes them, ensuring that we can effectively utilize them. It’s akin to providing someone with a helicopter without teaching them how to fly. Without proper instruction, they might mishandle the controls and cause a crash. The Buddha, therefore, provides guidance and instruction. Imagine a world filled with individuals who have never operated a helicopter. If we were to simply give them one, they would be unable to use it. Thus, the Buddha must teach us how to skillfully employ the tools of spiritual practice.
This comprehensive service provided to sentient beings is a series of interconnected steps. Yet, we often take it for granted and fail to appreciate the vastness of the Buddha’s compassion. If we were to sincerely repent for even one negative karma and strive to overcome a single obstacle, we would discover how arduous the process truly is. Most of us would be unable to accomplish this due to our lack of faith, mindfulness, diligence, and other essential qualities. Instead, we are often consumed by worldly desires. Therefore, relying solely on our own efforts, it may take countless lifetimes to purify even a fraction of our negative karma. Given the difficulty we face in changing even a single negative habit, it is evident that transforming all our negative karma would be an insurmountable task.
