Question

Can you talk about the value and power of making aspirations regularly, for example, the daily aspiration to always have a connection to the Dhamma in this life and in the future lives?

Answer

Yes, I talked about this in an interview with someone. Steve and I make a daily aspiration to be connected with the true Buddhadhamma in this life and in all future lives, hoping that all our good Kamma will be directed towards this. When we see the first star of the evening or the moon, if there are no clouds, we make this aspiration in a few moments of silence, hoping that, if we don't get enlightened in this life, this dedication of our Kamma will direct us towards being connected with the Buddhadhamma in a future life.

If you have read some of the stories in the scriptures, especially in the Jataka stories, about the past lives of the Buddha, you may know that his wife and all his chief disciples had all made dedications in previous lives. Rahula made the dedication to become the son of the Buddha. Yasodhara made a dedication to be the wife of the Bodhisattva through all his lives until his last life. So if it is true, it might be nice. We also have the story of the couple who wanted to be reconnected with each other in all of their future lives. That is when the Buddha gave the teaching on the Four Qualities necessary for a good relationship: Generosity, Morality, Wisdom and Saddha or Confidence. The couple directed all their good Kamma to being reconnected in their future lives. There are examples of aspirations being fulfilled in the scriptures, so it may be true. We also have the example of the Buddha who made the vow to become a Bodhisattva. Steve and I take the opportunity to rededicate and make a vow, a resolution, to be in touch with the true Buddha/Dhamma/Sangha so that we are not lost in a future life.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.