Master Ren Shan - Pursue Enlightenment in Sentient Beings 佛就是從眾生中求

(English subtitles) Master Ren Shan 仁山法師, born in 1980, is a remarkable Buddhist master.
Subtitles:
Buddha is the most important. But in the eyes of the awakened sage, sentient beings are actually the most important. If Bodhisattvas follow the sentient beings. That is, making offerings to Buddha submissively. Simply put, to be frank, leading people well, taking care of them, and making them happy are more important than making the Buddhas in the great hall happy. Where is the superstition? How does it fall behind? Even the highest ideals of national government may not exceed this situation. The goal pursued by all mankind may not exceed this level. The Buddhas regard all sentient beings as their entire goal of service. How are the Bodhisattva taught? Bodhisattvas should serve sentient beings rather than Buddhas. Sentient beings are namely Buddhas. To delight all living beings is to delight Buddhas. What's the reason? Compassion arise for the sake of sentient beings. Bring forth the resolve for Bodhicitta due to compassion. Attain enlightenment stem from Bodhicitta. Therefore, if there is no sentient beings, all Bodhisattvas will not attain supreme enlightenment eventually.
2:00
This word says it all. What does it mean? For the sake of all sentient beings, the Bodhisattvas raise compassion. Because of compassion, they pursue enlightenment. Because of pursuing enlightenment, they become Buddhas eventually. So the cause stems from sentient beings. If there is no affinity with sentient beings, all Bodhisattvas will not become Buddha. What is the use of being a Buddha? It's not going to benefit sentient beings.
Later, he told a metaphor. For example, there is a big tree in the wild desert. This tree is very old with deep roots, lush branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. Now the problem is how to
keep its branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits lush. What should we do to maintain it? We should water its roots. Because this is a desert, it cannot live without water. All sentient beings are roots. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are flowers and fruits. If a Bodhisattva benefits sentient beings with the water of compassion, he can achieve the flowers and fruits of the Buddha and Bodhisattva wisdom. So bodhi belongs to sentient beings. If there is no sentient beings, all Bodhisattvas will not attain supreme enlightenment eventually. It's a simple reason. Roots are sentient beings.
4:00
The attainment of enlightenment by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is the ultimate flower and fruit. You should moisten the roots, the sentient beings, with the water of compassion, so that the flowers and the fruits of your wisdom can be flourish. This analogy is easy to understand.
Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and sentient beings are one. A tree is a whole. We are studying Buddhism, where is our location? That is, we are the grower of this tree. We want this tree to thrive. What should we do? Don't just enjoy the flowers. You have to water and fertilize the roots. Who are the roots? Namely, all sentient beings. This is the essence of the Avatamsaka Sūtra (or Flower Adornment Sūtra), also the perfect content of the entire dharma. Many people think that dharma is some mysterious things and stuffy religious ritual. He may never have heard of this core value. It will never be outdated in any era.
After we have learned Buddhism. Now that we understand clearly. Where should we start? Start from sentient beings. But I pursue enlightenment. You are right. You pursue enlightenment in sentient beings.