Buddhism refers to teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is the most virtuous and perfect teaching for all living beings in the nine realms. The Buddha’s teachings encompass every aspect of ethics, virtue, causality, science, and philosophy. The teaching objective is to help living beings thoroughly understand the reality of human life and the universe, thereby eliminating conflict. This enables people to seek common ground while putting aside differences, to treat each other equally, to live harmoniously, and to prosper together.

From the outset, Mahayana Buddhism teaches us that “all beings are innately Buddhas.” Thus, the Buddhist teachings aim to help living beings restore their true nature and accomplish their innate and perfect wisdom. The guiding principles of Buddhism are known as the Four Great Vows.

The Four Great Vows are “Living beings are innumerable; I vow to help them all. Afflictions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them all. Ways to practice are boundless, I vow to master them all. Enlightenment is unsurpassable; I vow to attain it.” The four vows stem from the first vow, “Living beings are innumerable; I vow to help them all.” This is about developing the Great Bodhi Mind to help living beings that are suffering by following the Buddha’s teachings. These teachings help oneself and others become enlightened, and help all living beings cease suffering and attain happiness. This is also the vow of Amitabha Buddha for “all to become Buddhas.”

“All to become Buddhas” reflects the notion of all phenomena being part of one and the same entity. From this one entity arises compassion—a true and wise love. Compassion is practised through the Three Conditions of Pure Land Buddhism, which are the roots and foundation of successful Buddhist practice. All Buddhas practise according to the Three Conditions to attain enlightenment. There are eleven parts in total:

First, be filial and provide and care for parents, be respectful to and serve teachers, be compassionate and do not kill, and cultivate the Ten Virtuous Conducts.

Second, take the Three Refuges, abide by the precepts, and behave in a dignified and appropriate manner.

Third, develop the Bodhi mind, deeply believe in the Law of Cause and Effect, recite and uphold the Mahayana sutras, and encourage others to advance on the path to enlightenment.

The opening phrases of “be filial and provide and care for parents” and “be respectful to and serve teachers” are the basic fundamentals. They are the beginning of Buddhist teachings and also its completion. The multitude of Buddhist teachings simply elaborate on the practice of those phrases. Thus, learning Buddhism is about loving and honouring parents, and being respectful to teachers. On perfection of such practice, one becomes a Buddha. The rest of the Three Conditions are specific examples of loving and honouring parents, and being respectful to teachers.

To practise the Buddha’s teachings in daily life, the Three Conditions of Pure Land Buddhism must be committed to memory. Understanding assists our practice, and practice in turn furthers our understanding and brings us closer to enlightenment. With such conscientious learning and practice, one will experience life’s true happiness and enjoy learning from the teachings.

Buddhism is therefore an education. Through diligent practice of the Buddhist teachings, everyone can attain the educational outcomes of truth, virtue, beauty, wisdom, and long-lasting true happiness.