Why Buddhism Emphasizes the Importance of Cultivation

Photo: His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III imparts Dharma to Holy Gurus, rinpoches, Dharma masters, and lay persons from all over the world at the Holy Heavenly Lake.

The cultivation of one’s conduct and morality is an essential aspect of all religions, yet the principles and methods of cultivation differ from one religion to another. Christianity teaches believers to “love thy neighbors,” “love thy enemies,” and according to the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus taught that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” In Buddhism, the fundamental principles of cultivation are to not do any bad deeds and do all kinds of good deeds.

Many people are motivated to do good because they believe if they cause harm to others and the environment, they are basically causing harm to themselves. They treat other people well because they want to be treated well in return. However, according to Buddhist teachings, the purpose of doing good deeds is not so that other people will treat us well. Whether other people treat us well or badly is a matter of causality, the result of all kinds of good or bad causes that we ourselves have planted in countless lifetimes since beginningless time.

It is based on truly understanding the principle of causality that Buddhists feel compelled to follow the teachings of the Buddha to practice cultivation. Because by planting only good causes and not planting any bad causes at all times, the good causes that they have planted will naturally bring about good results. If everyone can do the same, society will have stability, all countries will be prosperous, the world will be peaceful, and people will live happily.

The law of cause and effect is the truth of the universe, as well as the foundation of all Buddhist teachings. Shakyamuni Buddha attained Buddhahood in this world more than 2,500 years ago. After actualizing unsurpassable, complete, and perfect enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha established Buddhism, teaching this truth to living beings in this world, enabling them to attain liberation from transmigration. It is due to the principle of causality that the Buddha told living beings they must practice cultivation to purify their mind-consciousness, speech, and action, and no longer plant bad causes but plant only good causes.  In doing so, they can build the foundation to learn the necessary Buddha Dharmas for them to attain liberation from death and rebirth.

Photo: His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III

In the same way that Shakyamuni Buddha taught living beings more than 2,500 years ago, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III always emphasizes the importance of cultivation, reminding Buddhists that if one does not build the foundation of cultivating one’s conduct, the karmic conditions will not ripen for them to learn the Dharma that enables them to attain liberation from death and rebirth. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, the incarnation of the primordial Buddha currently living in this world, is officially recognized and corroborated by more than 100 Dharma kings, regent Dharma kings, and great rinpoches of major Buddhist sects. Buddhist leaders and practitioners from all over the world belonging to various Buddhists sects and schools continue to seek teachings and guidance from His Holiness the Buddha.

With great compassion and sympathy toward human beings’ predicaments, His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has vowed, since a very young age, to not accept any offerings throughout his lifetime but teaches all living beings unconditionally. He always refers to himself as a “servant of living beings.” He said, “The Dharmas of Buddhism in this world were imparted by Shakyamuni Buddha when the Buddha was living here. Buddhism is meant mainly for resolving problems for living beings: enabling living beings to become liberated from suffering and the cycle of birth and death. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas come to this world for no other purpose than to help pitiable living beings, to save them by enabling them to attain liberation and accomplishment.”

During an audience given by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III to a congregation at the Holy Miracles Temple in the United States, someone asked His Holiness the Buddha, “Where do we go if we do not return to this world after this life is over?” His Holiness the Buddha elucidates that where one goes after their death is determined by the good causes and bad causes that they themself have planted during their lifetime. However, by learning Buddhism to cultivate oneself, and by learning and practicing Dharma, one can attain freedom over their own death and rebirth and even choose where they will go after this life.

Buddhism elucidates that all things in the universe are made up of the six great elements that are constantly changing due to causality. Impermanence and causality are the universal truths since beginningless time. These truths apply to all beings and phenomena in the universe. According to Buddhism, it is due to the causes we have planted in numerous previous lifetimes, since beginningless time, that we have become human beings in this lifetime. Therefore, the good and the bad that a person does in their current lifetime likewise directly affect where they will go after death.

This is why Namo Shakyamuni Buddha and His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III painstakingly teach Buddhists the importance of cultivation. They teach all living beings how to nurture great loving-kindness and compassion in their minds and conduct to genuinely benefit people, their countries, humanity, and all kinds of living beings. By planting these good causes, they will reap good fruits, including good fortune, wisdom, and most important of all, the opportunity to learn the Dharmas that enable them to attain liberation from transmigration within this lifetime.

It is due to the ripening of living beings’ propitious karmic conditions that a Buddha is living in this world today. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III has no regard at all for fame or fortune and has always lived a very simple life. Throughout his life, he has always given of himself to serve living beings. In response to being recognized as the incarnation of the primordial Buddha, he simply said: “Even though Dharma kings of great holiness have formally recognized that I am the incarnation of an ancient Buddha, who I am an incarnation of is not important. What is important is for everyone to understand ‘What is Cultivation.’ A reincarnated Buddhist practitioner is of importance only if they cultivate themself in accordance with Buddha Dharma. The true gift that I bring to everyone is Buddha Dharma. If everyone follows Buddha Dharma to develop profound realization, then everywhere will be filled with brightness, and the world will be a peaceful place. Living beings will forever be joyful, enjoy limitless beneficial effects from Buddha Dharma, and have perfect merit and wisdom.”