PREFACE
“ Everything returns to Oneness at the source, but there are many expedient methods that lead us there.” This is a very popular saying in Buddhism. However, even though there are many expedient methods, we must really practice with diligence; otherwise, we are left with only many expedient methods having no particular benefit for anyone— namely, with nothing at all. Therefore, Master Shih- Hsien Hsing-An (1685-1733) took pity on people and devas, for he could not stand the spectacle of Sangha members and lay Buddhists abandoning the great Tao or wasting time. He also felt that losing their opportunity to progress toward and even to gain Enlightenment was, indeed, a great pity.
So Master Hsing-An wrote this composition, urging people to generate the Bodhi Mind as quickly as possible. He encourages all Sangha members and lay Buddhists to be diligent in their practice and to delay no longer. The Master promotes the ten causes and conditions leading to the state of grace in order to teach people how to generate their own Bodhi Mind. The Bodhi Mind is the Mind of Enlightenment; and if one has already generated the Bodhi Mind, he then can take the Great Vow to benefit all other sentient beings by enabling all people to generate their own Bodhi Mind and attain Supreme Enlightenment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
A COMPOSITION URGING THE GENERATION OFTHEBODHI MIND
APPENDIX: MERITS GAINED BY GENERATING THE BODHI MIND
ALL MERITS ARE EQUAL
THE TEN ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THECH’AN MASTER CHEHWUH
GLOSSARY
TRANSFER-OF-MERITVOW