Did You Know? All Success Relies on This Invisible Power?

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed in all they do, their words always persuade, while you toil endlessly yet remain far from your goals? There is an ancient secret, often expressed as "relying on the Emperor's virtue" or "taking refuge in the Buddha's spiritual power." Though it may sound like a cliché, when rightly understood, it is the golden key to your life.

**Not Humility, But Truth**

In the Lotus Sutra and the Prajñāpāramitā Sutras, bodhisattvas, after expounding the wondrous Dharma and liberating countless beings, always say with reverence, "I rely on the spiritual power of the Buddha." When I first began my practice, I thought this was merely a humble gesture. Yet after years of walking the path, I suddenly understood: it is the truth. A bodhisattva does not see the merit as their own, but perceives themselves as a small part within the majestic power of all Buddhas of the ten directions. It is like a carpenter crafting a beautiful cabinet, thinking it is his own skill, when in reality, it flows from countless bodies of knowledge, teachings, and virtuous conditions accumulated over lifetimes. If we stubbornly cling to it as "mine," we cut ourselves off from that boundless stream of energy.

**Cutting the Connection with the Buddha Through Arrogance**

If we believe all success stems solely from our own talent and intellect, we immediately sever the virtuous connection with the Buddhas. "Arrogance will overwhelm us and lead to failure. However, if we understand that in everything we do, we rely on the spiritual power of the Buddhas, then life after life, the Buddhas will guide us, step by step."

Imagine yourself as a single droplet within the vast ocean. If separated, that droplet will dry up. But if it merges with the ocean, it gains boundless power. Likewise, when we humbly dwell within the Buddha's radiant light, every word and deed is guided and protected by the Buddha. Conversely, the arrogant person invites only isolation and defeat.

**A Simple Practice: Pray Before Every Action**

Every Buddhist should cultivate the habit of praying for the Buddhas' blessings before undertaking any task, whether large or small. "Whenever we begin any action and pray for the Buddhas' blessings, we plant a cause to forever walk within the Buddha's spiritual power."

When success comes, we are not arrogant, knowing it is through the Buddha's grace. When failure strikes, we do not despair, knowing the Buddha's compassion endures. In this way, a humble mind blossoms, and all that is good follows naturally.

**A Lesson from History: The Virtue of a Leader**

In Vietnamese history, Trương Hán Siêu wrote in his poem *Ode to the Bạch Đằng River*: "The enemy vanquished, eternal peace reigns – Was it due to perilous land, or chiefly to exalted virtue?" He believed the great victory over the Mongol Yuan dynasty was not due to terrain or military strategy alone, but to the virtue of the Trần Emperor. That virtue resonated with heaven and earth, protecting the nation. Today, in families or workplaces, a leader of virtue brings harmony to all affairs. In Buddhism, the practitioner is the same: our personal effort must unite with the Buddhas' blessings to perfect our spiritual cultivation.

**Avoid the Two Extremes**

Some think, "I practice by my own strength; I do not need the Buddha." That is arrogance. Others adopt a passive attitude: "The Buddha will take care of everything for me." That is dependence. The Middle Way teaches us to make diligent effort while sincerely praying. "Our effort must combine with the Buddhas' blessings for us to achieve success in our practice."

Through this, worldly affairs gradually become Dharma practice. When caring for family or working at our jobs, if we maintain a mind of compassion and mindfulness of the Buddha, these actions themselves become our practice.

**Begin Today**

Start right now: before undertaking any action, silently chant "Homage to the Buddha" and pray for blessings. Then, when success arrives, humbly acknowledge it is through the Buddha's power. Gradually, you will find your life becoming lighter, filled with energy and blessings from merit. This is the path of the bodhisattva, the path to true and lasting happiness.