Many Skillful Means Point Toward One True Nature
In Buddhism there are many buddhas and bodhisattvas, and many paths of practice and teaching. For someone encountering them for the first time, the path can feel complicated because there seem to be so many ways.
Yet these many paths are skillful means opened according to the capacities of sentient beings. For one person prayer becomes the path, for another Seon meditation becomes the path, and for another bodhisattva action and the practice of compassion become the path. Their forms differ, but their intention is the same: to guide sentient beings toward awakening.
Skillful means are necessary because each person's state of mind and depth of understanding are different. The Buddha did not force one truth into only one shape. He opened many doors so that sentient beings could enter.
But if we remain only with the skillful means themselves and cling to names and forms, we miss the original purpose. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the many sutras, and the many practice methods are all paths that ultimately help us see the originally clear mind, buddha-nature.
Today, examine what the form you follow is pointing toward. There may be many names, but the place they point to is one. When we do not forget that one true nature, we can also use skillful means wisely.
The many names of buddhas and bodhisattvas, and the many methods of practice, are skillful means suited to each being's capacity. Do not remain only with forms and names; see that all those paths point toward the originally clear mind.
