How We Follow the Right Path
We chose to be Buddhist, not just to be friends of Buddha but to follow the right way to release temporarily from our misfortunes caused by following the wrong path, and eventually to attain realization for the sake of all others.
How do we become a good Buddhist? First of all, one has to be a good human being and only then one will be! In addition, as Buddhist, it is not just recitation of mantras, holy books and practice of meditation that are essential, but who also sees the daily life as an important part of practice. To observe diligently and to make the right effort.
However, if we are following more traditional ways, then, the following advices may be helpful to you.
When we do not have time to practice long hours then we may just practice it short and simple. There are mainly five steps which will help us to be a good practitioner. Firstly, we must sincerely take refuge from the three jewels and the three roots in order to be under their guidance to follow the right path and to achieve total realization! One may visualize or just put the pictures of the refuge in front of you. Palm our two hands close to our heart, like the shape of Lotus bud and between our two hands we should visualize that there is precious gems to offer to all Buddhas and requesting them to liberate all beings from suffering. Secondly, when we pray, don’t think just for ourselves only but to include all others who also like to be liberated. Moreover, we should request The Three Jewels and the Three Roots to be our witness to practice love and compassion for all others. Thirdly, offer everything from our heart and most importantly our body, speech and mind and we don’t have to worry that Buddha will take away everything. Fourthly, during the recitation of the mantras, first our focus should be the Buddha we are visualizing and second, the mantra itself at least twenty five times and again go back to the visualization for a moment then again recite the mantras. We should also visualize the light of blessing of refuge are radiating towards us. Eventually, recitation, visualization and receiving the light of blessings all flow in one line. Fifthly, whatever merits we have cultivated we should simply dedicate for the sake of all sentient beings. In such a way, our merits will flourish forever. Afterall, merits are the source of our fortune, happiness, success and finally liberation! In Summary, it is not just practice but what we think and how we practice that will make the difference in terms of success!
Hopefully this discussion is helpful to you!