Accept no substitutes

Something Kūkai, founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, wrote in 813. The writings are unusually stern, but I find them highly motivating, even if you’re not into esoteric Buddhism:

It goes without saying that we are not aiming at getting petty worldly success and reward. If we aspire to go far, unless we depend on our feet, we cannot advance; if we wish to walk the Way of Buddha, unless we observe the precepts, we cannot reach the goal…All of these precepts [Exoteric and Esoteric] have their foundation in the Ten Precepts. The essential nature of our mind is not distinct from that of the Buddha; no difference exist between our mind, the mind of all sentient beings, and that of the Buddha. To abide in this mind is the practice the Way of the Buddha…Observe these precepts sincerely and practice the samadhi of Mahavairocana [Buddha]. Having been freed quickly from the three fetters [greed, anger, and blindness], realize enlightenment. Improve yourselves, help others, and fulfill your four obligations. If you do all of these, you are no other than bodhisattvas.

The “samadhi of Mahavairocana” here refers to the central practices of Shingon, which according to Hakeda’s book “Kūkai and Major Works”, can mean any practices related to Mahavairocana or his manifestations: Shakyamuni Buddha, Amida Buddha, Kannon (Guan-Yin) and so on.

Namu Daishi Henjo Kongo