Starting Spiritual Practice
Why can a cultivation vow extend beyond personal distress?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
A vow gives direction, helping you know where you are going. If cultivation seeks divine thinking, it also needs a heart willing to give to beings and others, beyond continually asking what you can gain.
I use lesser and greater sages to illustrate the difference between seeking only personal freedom from distress and willingly helping more people. Since you are setting a goal, consider placing the aspiration higher so your learning can also benefit others. This requires real willingness to help and give, not merely saying a name. A vow provides direction; saying it does not mean the state has already been attained, nor is it a way to rank others.