Belief of a Buddhist Practitioner: Notes on the "Universal Merits and Practices"

Author: Jiqun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-10-01
Features: This book, "Beliefs of a Buddhist Learner," is a recording of lectures on the "Samantabhadra's Practice of Great Vows" delivered by Jiqun of Fujian Buddhist College. The lectures were held during the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month in 1996, at the invitation of Ven. Jinghui of Beisi Linji Temple in Zhao County, Hebei. The event was grand in scale, with an audience of over five to six hundred people from all over the country. It was solemn and majestic, with a truly auspicious occasion.
In the current Dharma-aging era, the propagation of Buddhism in China over thousands of years has been marred by many misconceptions, such as deification, otherworldliness, philosophical abstraction, and academicization. These have led to widespread ignorance and misunderstanding of Buddhism in society. How to inherit the fine traditions of Buddhism, extract its essence while discarding the dross, and promote the true Dharma of the Buddha to serve in purifying the hearts and minds of society—this is a concern shared by all Buddhist practitioners.
The world is approaching the year 2000, and China is moving toward modernization through reform. How can Buddhism be made relevant to the times? The purpose of Ven. Jiqun's lectures on the "Samantabhadra's Practice of Great Vows" is to help more people understand the spirit of Buddhism and to integrate the wisdom of the Buddha into their daily lives. Ven. Jiqun’s teachings transform profound Buddhist principles into practical life, bringing Buddhism into the world, facing life directly, and achieving a close integration of practice and daily reality. He incorporates the Dharma into the lives of modern people, permeating the wisdom of the Buddha into every aspect of daily existence to liberate them from the confusion, suffering, and psychological obstacles of life.
In his style of delivery, Ven. Jiqun consistently strives to bring the Dharma close to life, to human experience, and to society, focusing on issues that are universally relevant and of interest to people. His lectures are sometimes witty and humorous, sometimes lively and engaging; they occasionally evoke laughter and applause from the audience! It is truly an honor to be able to listen to Ven. Jiqun’s teachings, and to hear him deliver his insights is an invaluable experience. Ven. Jiqun presents the specific content and methods of practicing the "Samantabhadra's Practice of Great Vows" in a clear and accessible manner, guiding people to shift from superstition and idolatry to a pursuit of reality and the perfection of life.