Can You Become a Buddha Merely by Wishing to?

The Śūraṅgama Sūra: When the mind contemplates ascending a height, the soles of the feet grow sore; the physical body is the solidified primary delusion. When the mind contemplates ascending a height, the conceptual faculty imagines itself truly standing atop a high mountain peak, inducing fear within, which causes the soles of the feet to grow sore. Similarly, the physical body is also an illusion conjured by the conceptual faculty, produced by the most deeply entrenched delusion.

If one thinks of becoming a Buddha, can one then attain Buddhahood? The crucial point is that the conceptual faculty has not been cultivated to the stage of aspiring for Buddhahood. To be precise, the conceptual faculty lacks sufficient faith in attaining Buddhahood. If faith were complete and unwavering, Buddhahood would assuredly be attained—it would merely be a matter of time. Presently, as our faith gradually strengthens, we draw incrementally closer to Buddhahood. Those who genuinely aspire to Buddhahood cultivate with immense diligence and resolve. They disregard all worldly concerns, renounce all mundane attachments, and concentrate single-mindedly on the path. Such determination manifests unmistakably in every action.