Prerequisite for Every Sentient Being to Attain Liberation

<translated_chunk> It was only when the Brahmin woman found herself in the hell realm that she came to realize: not only was her mother in this present life her own mother, but every being suffering in hell was also her mother across countless past lifetimes and eons.

Her universal compassion, born of the recognition that all beings share the same fundamental nature as her, immediately arose. She knew that every being in hell was held within her own heart, sharing weal and woe with her, their suffering and joy inextricably bound to her own. So she made this vow: "For all future eons, I will employ every possible skillful means to liberate all suffering beings in hell from the torments of that realm, whether they are my loved ones or karmic adversaries and creditors from past lives, without distinction."

In this way, the Brahmin woman’s filial piety toward her mother in this present life expanded to encompass all sentient beings. Recognizing that all suffering beings were her own parents, this small, personal act of filial piety expanded into a great, universal one. This is why Buddhism honors filial piety as the supreme path: to perfect this virtue to the fullest, most complete degree is to realize the very state of Buddhahood. It was in this moment that the Brahmin woman arrived at a profound, transformative realization.

What is more, her mother fell into hell not because she had committed any actual evil deeds, but solely due to her erroneous views: she did not believe in the Triple Gem, and slandered the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and that alone was sufficient to condemn her to the hell realm.

We can use this standard to assess present-day sentient beings: how many hold deluded views and mistaken understanding, refusing to believe in the cycle of rebirth, in karma and its fruition, or in the existence of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? All of these are nothing but superstition. Some even harbor these thoughts in their minds, voice them aloud, and commit them to writing. If we measure their views and conduct against this standard, their ultimate destination becomes immediately clear.

Therefore, holding right faith and right views, having faith in the Triple Gem, and taking refuge in the Triple Gem are the fundamental prerequisites for every sentient being to attain liberation. </translated_chunk>