Making Vows For all Beings

   Venerable Guo Kai had presented at talk at the center tonight, about the Diamond Sutra. The theme was "A Life of No Regrets", and I did find the talk to be quite uplifting. It has made me want to go deeper into my practice and to even change the way I think about practice in general.
    My understanding from the talk is that the goal of Buddhist practice should never be about learning just for its own sake or acquiring wisdom just for oneself. If one is only going to a temple or following religion to uplift one's own spirit, then this is not going to go very far. In fact, if Buddhist practice isn't helping a person to feel interconnected with all sentient beings, how can it be in accord with the Dharma Seals? Not only this, but the point of practice is not just about sitting for long periods of time in meditation. Fashi asked us: what is the use of sitting for two hours, when in fact a rock can do this as well? The point she is pressing throughout the talk is that all beings are connected in mind, and there is no value in practice if I am still thinking of myself as an isolated practitioner who stands to gain from it.
   How, then, to practice? Fashi recommended reciting certain mantras to arouse compassion for all the sentient beings. She also suggested to use the method of practice in daily life, always approaching a person with the question: how can they benefit from me? I think the important point here is not necessarily giving a person exactly what they need, but having the intention that another person be well. So here is where the importance of prayer comes in as a way of connecting the intention to liberate all beings in all directions.
   I think the most important thing is to have the intention. What will I do for myself to create that intention? Here are some ideas that I am brainstorming:

1) chanting a vow or mantra daily before bed, as a way of arousing bodhichitta
2) always using Transfer of Merit prayer to others I am with
3) learning the Dharma and continuing to read Buddhist texts as a way of helping others
4)  Being less worried about competing with others in society and having faith in one's interconnection with sentient beings;  faith and trust in others.
5) Continue to help others (or aspire to help) in whatever way I possibly can

This is a tall order, for sure, and I don't think that change can happen overnight. But I am hoping that this talk puts me in a direction to see the broader picture of why I practice in the first place.