Nirvana Gates: Qualifications for entry

Pháp tu để được về Niết Bàn (thiên đàng); by Chie on Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:26 pm; edited by XBY

Question: Among the Eighty-Four Thousand Dharma Doors, which door is considered the most beneficial to practice?

Answer: Religious practitioners across various faiths aspire to attain the equivalent of Nibbana, often depicted as the Pure Lands of the Buddhas, such as the blissful realm associated with Amitabha Buddha in the West, also known as paradise. Salvation through prayer is a common theme in many religions. Christianity emphasizes that humanity’s salvation comes from God’s grace, blessings, and mercy rather than solely through works, regardless of their perceived holiness.

Religious practitioners aspiring to reach the Pure Lands are akin to individuals in Vietnam desiring to travel to countries like England, France, the U.S., Australia, and Canada. The approval for departure from Vietnam and entry into these countries is not contingent upon a person’s specific skill or talent, but rather on fulfilling the conditions set by both their home country and the destination country. Firstly, one must be a law-abiding citizen to obtain an exit visa from the government. Secondly, they must secure sponsorship from the destination country to acquire an entry visa. These requirements strike a balance—not overly stringent to deter applicants, yet not too lenient as not everyone seeking to leave the country is granted permission.

Therefore, a religious practitioner aspiring to reach the celestial blissful realms must fulfill several requirements. They should embody moral conduct and be affable individuals capable of seeking favors and offering prayers. Most importantly, they must secure sponsorship from the Spirits, who assist, guide, and facilitate entry into paradise. Rebirth into any of the nine ranks in the Blissful Pure Land hinges on an individual’s spiritual development or past life achievements. An ordinary person may be reborn as a citizen, while those of higher spiritual attainment can ascend to ranks such as gods, saints, or Immortals.

All the diligent efforts of individuals engaging in various methods of self-training, such as breath counting, visualization of Three Secrets, Dharani Chanting, meditation, Qi Gong practices, cultivation of precepts, mindfulness, wisdom, donations, charity work, and making vows to save sentient beings, become futile, especially when the practitioner holds excessive self-importance, takes pride in their spiritual practices, or believes themselves superior in virtues without establishing connections with the Spirits or seeking aid from the Buddhas. Without guidance from High Spirits, Buddhas, or divine grace, even with achievements in correct meditation, reaching the Samadhi state, or developing wisdom, one cannot attain Nibbana or Paradise.

According to Buddhist tenets, there exist 84,000 Dharma doors, or teachings and practices, that lead to Nibbana. These encompass 84,000 ways of living, often termed paths of inner practice, as they cater to the diverse situations and conditions of human existence, numbering in the tens of thousands or even millions. Individuals are free to live and function in any manner they choose and to practice any dharma. Regardless of their chosen path, all individuals can aspire for rebirth in the various celestial realms of the Western Pure Land, provided they fulfill the official requirements for obtaining an exit and entry visa, as previously mentioned.