Enduring Hardships and Overcoming All Difficulties

Every Buddhist practitioner will experience various tribulations; this is inevitable. Contending with the karmic forces accumulated over beginningless kalpas is extremely difficult—even bodhisattvas who return to this world are no exception, for adverse conditions abound. Cultivation is like rowing a boat against the current: it requires the courage to battle through great winds and waves, and tenacious 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 courageous mind—the dawn is just ahead!

"The Way rises one foot, and the demon rises ten feet." As long as one has the aspiration to advance, one will inevitably face tribulations. But the Buddha's power is also inconceivable, and one's own resolve for the Way and courageous diligence are equally inconceivable. As long as we arouse a long-term mind of diligent effort, the demon king can do nothing to us. Believe in this, and we can overcome all difficulties.

"A person without far-reaching foresight will surely have worries close at hand." As long as we look far ahead and focus on the future, the road beneath our feet becomes easier to tread, and the difficulties before us become easier to overcome.