People with great authority need . . . (Click image for video)

Afflictions are inexhaustible;
I vow to end them all.  

Due to our uncountable causes of mental suffering, our minds remain impure, agitated, and self-absorbed. And so, after vowing to universally help all beings, we vow to eliminate our afflictions, the second of the four great vows of Buddhas. 

While we start with ourselves, we always bear in mind that we’re not doing all this just for ourselves, and maybe those close to us. Indeed, one of the ideas we need to stop holding on to is our view of self-attachment, that this body is “I.” Neither will we be able to help all beings if we are regularly consumed by greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt about the teachings.

So how do we end afflictions?

By observing the precepts. Precept observation will lead to our attaining meditative concentration. In this calm, clear state, we will see things as they really are. We can see how our energy-draining, time-consuming afflictions are holding us back from helping ourselves, but much more importantly, from helping all others. 

Recognizing enmities is the first step . . . (Click image for video)

Sentient beings are innumerable; 

I vow to help them all.  

This aspiration to help all beings is the first of the four great vows of Buddhas. With much enthusiasm to learn and practice the teachings, many people become enthralled with the abundance of Buddhist teachings. But in the vows, we see that mastering boundless Dharma doors, the methods of learning and practice, is the third vow.

The first is to give rise to the vow to help all beings. “All beings? Can’t I just help myself?”

If we practice to solely help ourselves, our mind will remain narrow and biased. A broad and impartial mind, like that of an awakened being, is what we strive for. With our firm holding of the first great vow—the aspiration to help all sentient beings—our great compassion will be generated and compel us to be diligent on the path. Without compassion and diligence, we will give up in the face of obstacles.

So the first vow inspires and encourages us, and serves as our fundamental vow.

The other three vows serve to help us fulfill this first vow.