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Do Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Always Answer Our Prayers?
If sentient beings pray, the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas will respond accordingly. Prayers have the power to induce sympathetic resonance with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas always care for all sentient beings with the power of blessing arising from their compassionate vows. However, if one does not develop inner strengths-- that is, if one lacks practice, accumulation of merits and wisdom, or true faith--- then even the omnipresent power of the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas' vows will not be of help.
Inducing Sympathetic Resonance
Besides having faith in the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha), one must have faith in oneself, to induce sympathetic resonance with the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas. Faith in one's own strengths induces sympathetic resonance with external forces, which in turn enhances one's inner strengths. Faith in both oneself and the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas are prerequisites for inducing sympathetic resonance.
Inner strengths and external spiritual energies complement each other. In this way, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." Yet why do many people still have negative views toward sympathetic resonance, given how precious and wonderful it is?
To answer this question, we must carefully consider the individual. Many people worship the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas, hoping to enlist their support for personal benefit. To pray for one's own benefit is human nature and thus understandable. However, this gives ill-intentioned individuals opportunities to take advantage of others, even through illegal means.
News of scams and deceptions based on purported supernatural or psychic powers happen with alarming frequency. Upon more careful consideration of reasons behind these crimes, however, we often find that the victims aren't entirely blameless. Therefore, Buddhists tend not to place heavy emphasis on the functions of induction, or depending solely on external forces. Establishing sympathetic resonance without theoretical foundation is not the focus of Buddhism. The induction of external forces recognized by Buddhists must be premised on one's inner strengths.
Not only do Buddhists believe that the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas exist throughout the Dharma Realms, but they also acknowledge the existence of spiritual beings. The difficulty to distinguish the source of sympathetic resonance—that is whether it comes from the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas, or from other spiritual beings-- is a common doubt many people have about sympathetic resonance.
It is of utmost importance to have a proper attitude towards sympathetic resonance. The Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas do not have selfish desires. Most people who have felt that they experienced sympathetic resonance were likely misled by their own emotions and desires. Also, due to people's emotions and desires they are more easily blinded or misguided by illusions.
During ancient times, the Chan tradition placed heavy emphasis on purity in practice. Hence the adage, "If you meet the Demon, cut him down; if you meet the Buddha, also cut him down." The safest and healthiest principle of Chan practice is, no matter what vision or induced correspondence may arise, simply give them no special attention and regard them as simply illusions. Most people can't tell whether supernatural experiences are real or not. Instead of worrying about attaining or losing these experiences, one might as well take the more proper approach, namely, seeing all phenomena as illusory.
Sympathetic Resonance Only Provides Encouragement. Practice is Essential.
On the journey of practice, sympathetic resonance is merely an inevitable by-product of faith. We should distinguish and contemplate all phenomena with wisdom. In addition, we must practice unceasingly using right faith and right conduct.
If one only practices for the purpose of seeking mystic experiences, there will be an attachment to the sense of "I feel sympathetic resonance." This deviates from the teachings of the Buddha. Sympathetic resonance should be viewed as a spur to cultivate faith in the Buddha path. One should have faith in both one's own inner strength as well as external forces. That is how one induces sympathetic resonance with the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas, encouraging further tireless practice toward the real goal.
Resource:
50 Questions about Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (佛菩薩50問), Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation