Spiritual Discourses & Precepts
Explanation of the Four Vows (釋四願)
Introductory Discourse
The Foundation of Conscience
Master Fu Sheng teaches that seeking to be a cultivator in the Tao Yuan establishes an individual as a virtuous disciple[cite: 387]. Every disciple must fulfill the Four Vows by preserving Heaven’s universal principles ($存天理$), ridding the self of limiting human desires ($去人欲$), and cultivating the innate conscience ($致良知$)[cite: 386, 388].
Failure to abide by the rules of the Tao stems from excessive human desires and a deeply ingrained egoistic nature[cite: 386, 389]. The capacity to manage the affairs of the World Red Swastika Society properly resides entirely in this innate conscience, leaving the heart free of regrets during self introspection[cite: 386, 390, 391].
Vow 1 / 願修功行
The Cultivation of Merit and Virtue
The Primordial Ancestor (The Most Holy One) states that the first vow to cultivate merit and virtue is the absolute foundation of all spiritual practice; if a cultivator fails here, the remaining three vows cannot be achieved[cite: 393, 397, 398, 400].
Merit (功) refers to positive moral accomplishments beneficial to others and the Tao Yuan, generated through daily actions like sitting meditation, chanting, and studying canons[cite: 394, 406, 407, 410]. Moral Ethics/Virtue (行) represents visible behaviors, including the donation of money, goods, labor, time, and pure inner intentions[cite: 394, 412, 413].
Cultivators are reminded that the mathematical cycle of karmic cause and effect cannot be escaped[cite: 395, 414, 415]. One must constantly self-reflect, repent, and seek continuous inner renewal rather than falling into complacency with past good deeds[cite: 395, 417, 419, 420, 421].
“Every action, thought, and speech that cultivators make are part of their cultivation of meritorious deeds. Reclaiming this authentic self allows blessings to extend continuously[cite: 411, 424, 545].”
Vow 2 / 願造上乘
Aspirations for the Superior Vehicle & The Six Perfections
Buddha Ji clarifies that the second vow emphasizes attaining the Superior Vehicle (上乘), a state within Zen teachings that transcends both the Greater and Lesser Vehicles in spiritual merit[cite: 429, 443, 447]. Achieving this requires balancing internal cultivation (meditation, recitation) with external compassion through the Six Perfections (六度 / 六波羅密) [cite: 429, 450, 451, 452]:
- Generosity (布施): A heartfelt offering centered on selfless intentions rather than calculation or material quantity[cite: 430, 460, 461, 462].
- Moral Discipline (持戒): Eradicating past negative behaviors to align thoughts and intent entirely with ethical living[cite: 431, 466, 467, 468].
- Patience (忍辱): Exhibiting resilience, magnanimity, and emotional composure without harboring resentment[cite: 433, 471, 472, 473].
- Diligence (精進): Relentless and active engagement with life’s challenges to pursue cosmic charity[cite: 434, 477, 478, 480].
- Meditation (禪定): Calming the mind through deep reflection to discern right from wrong[cite: 435, 481, 482, 483].
- Wisdom (智慧): Grasping the ultimate truths across the five religions to recognize their shared essence in love and mercy[cite: 436, 486, 488, 489].
Vow 3 / 願得真諦
Attaining True Understanding of the Ultimate Truth
The third vow requires seeking the genuine intent of the ultimate Truth, building closely upon the concept of diligence[cite: 494, 495, 496]. Buddha Ji highlights that while humans constantly chase fleeting material gains, true enlightenment comes from sincere introspection, authenticity, and a state of being content[cite: 494, 497, 498, 503].
Cultivators must observe two goals: seeking the true essence of the Way ($真旨$) and acting with true compassion ($真義$)[cite: 494, 505, 506]. The modern establishment of specialized institutions like the Xing Zong Yuan (行宗院) aims precisely at these dual objectives revitalizing internal human nature and restoring the outer administrative path of the Tao Yuan[cite: 494, 507, 508].
Vow 4 / 願度眾生
The Liberation and Delivery of All Sentient Beings
The final vow serves as the ultimate culmination that reinforces and strengthens the intentions of the first three vows[cite: 525, 529]. Buddha Ji underscores a core law: one must achieve self-liberation and personal clarity first before attempting to deliver others [cite: 525, 531, 532]. Cultivators who only engage in loud, lofty moral debates while remaining stingy in charity or lazy in meditation cannot guide anyone[cite: 525, 535, 536].
By practicing strict self-restraint and reclaiming their original innate nature, a cultivator’s mindset naturally aligns with that of a noble person, turning them into a true vessel of compassion[cite: 525, 538, 539, 545]. This vow of universal delivery encompasses all life forms within the vast universe including animals, plants, birds, aquatic life, and the natural elements[cite: 525, 541].