Venerable Master Miao Lien’s 49 Great Vows

The founding abbot of Lingyen Mountain Temple, Venerable Master Miao Lien, respectfully following in the footsteps of Amitabha Buddha, made the same Forty-Eight Great Vows. In addition, he made his 49th Great Vow: “I will guide everyone who has seen me, heard my teachings, or even just my name, to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If they are not reborn there in this lifetime, I will come back to guide them, until they are all reborn in the Western Pure Land.” The Venerable Master, with his mind of compassion, has made extensive vows to lead sentient beings back to the Western Pure Land, so that all will realize Buddhahood together.

Shakyamuni Buddha’s 500 Great Vows

In a past lifetime, before he became a Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha was known as the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion. While practicing the Bodhisattva Way, he made 500 Great Vows, to teach and transform the sentient beings that all other Buddhas of the Ten Directions were unable to teach. He also vowed to become a Buddha in the evil world of the Five Turbidities. Over infinite kalpas in the past, Shakyamuni Buddha gave generously and established vast affinities with sentient beings. It is because of these virtuous roots, causes, and conditions, that sentient beings joyfully accept the teachings of the Buddha. Nowadays, the Buddhadharma brings brightness to the world, and sentient beings can hear about the Buddhadharma, because the Buddha made his 500 Great Vows in the past, and selflessly gave with his body and mind. By doing so, he established these wholesome affinities with sentient beings.

Amitabha Buddha’s 48 Great Vows

In the causal ground, Amitabha Buddha was once King Lokêśvararāja. At the time, a Buddha of the same name, Lokêśvararāja Buddha, was dwelling in the world. After hearing his teachings, King Lokêśvararāja was delighted, and brought forth the unsurpassed Bodhi Mind. He renounced his throne, left his kingdom and became a monk. His monastic name was Dharmākara. Bhikshu Dharmākara made a vow before Lokêśvararāja Buddha, saying that he not only wanted to become a Buddha, but he also wanted to surpass all other Buddhas. He asked the Buddha to explain the adornments of 210 billion Buddha Lands. With his inconceivable spiritual powers, Lokêśvararāja Buddha showed him 210 billion Buddha Lands right before his eyes. Seeing these, Bhikshu Dharmākara solidified his determination and vows even more. From all the Buddha Lands he saw, he incorporated their best features into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, making it the most perfect of all the Buddha Lands. For five kalpas, he concentrated on his practice toward constructing a Pure Land. After accomplishing his practice, Bhikshu Dharmākara went before Lokêśvararāja Buddha and proclaimed his 48 Great Vows. These 48 Great Vows are the foundation on which Amitabha Buddha extensively guides sentient beings of the Dharma Realm, with a mind of compassion and impartiality.

Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s 32 Transformations Vows

For the sake of guiding sentient beings, Guan Yin Bodhisattva manifests everywhere in the Nine Dharma Realms. According to their potentials, Guan Yin Bodhisattva has 32 different transformation bodies, including Buddhas, Pratyekabuddhas, Sound-hearers, Brahma-heaven Kings, Shakra, God of Comfort, God of Great Comfort, mighty Generals of the Gods, God Vaisravana, minor kings, elders, laypeople, ministers of state, Brahmans, monks or nuns, laymen or laywomen, the wife of an elder, layman, minister of state, or Brahman, lads or maidens, gods, dragons, yaksha, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, nonhumans, Vajra-wielding Spirits, and so forth. Guan Yin Bodhisattva travels to all places, and explains different forms of the Buddhadharma, so that countless sentient beings are freed from suffering and enjoy happiness, and ultimately are reborn in the Western Pure Land.

Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s 12 Great Vows

Guan Yin Bodhisattva made 12 vast and extensive vows throughout her many kalpas of cultivation. When sentient beings in the world are suffering because of fires, floods, rākṣasas, swords and staves, ghosts, ropes and shackles, heartless bandits, poisons, vipers, scorpions, and pythons, thunder, lightning, hail and heavy rains, and so forth, as long as they pray for help by reciting the name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva with utmost sincerity, Guan Yin Bodhisattva will follow the sound and come to relieve their suffering.