Enduring Hardships and Overcoming All Difficulties

Every Buddhist practitioner will go through various trials and tribulations—this is inevitable. Contending with karma accumulated over countless eons is extremely difficult; even bodhisattvas who have come again into this world are no exception, for adverse conditions abound. Practicing the Dharma is like rowing a boat against the current: it requires the courage to battle through fierce winds and towering waves, and unyielding perseverance. One must have the great vows of a bodhisattva in order not to be crushed down by the wind and waves. Arouse a great and courageous mind—the dawn is just ahead!

"As the Way grows a foot tall, the demons grow ten feet tall." As long as you have the aspiration to advance, you are bound to face trials. But the Buddha's power is also inconceivable, and so are one's own resolve for the Way and one's courageous diligence. As long as you sustain a long-term spirit of diligent practice, King Māra will have no way to deal with us. Believe this, and you can overcome all difficulties.

As the saying goes, "One who does not plan far ahead will surely have worries close at hand." As long as we look far into the distance and fix our eyes on the future, the road beneath our feet becomes easier to walk, and the difficulties before us become easier to overcome.