(29) In carrying on his self-cultivation, a practitioner can be regarded as having been duly rewarded for his exertion if he has persistently tried his best, whether he attains enlightenment or not in the end. As individuals may vary appreciably in karmic bonds, diligence in carrying on self-cultivation alone is not the decisive factor that leads a practitioner to acquire enlightenment. Therefore attainment of enlightenment alone cannot be a reliable indicator to show whether a practitioner has been conducting his self-cultivation program effectively. So long as a practitioner has been carrying on his self-cultivation program faithfully, he need not feel sorry even if enlightenment is not in his lot. Nowadays young people like to talk extravagantly about how to realize their respective ideals. However in my opinion, it is more important to make up one’s mind for pursuing an ideal than talking extravagantly about how to realize an unanchored ideal. It is incumbent upon a practitioner to make up his mind to anchor his self-cultivation program to a definite goal. In this connection Hui Neng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Buddhist Chan Order, leaves us a very instructive passage in his Platform Sutra:

“I vow to manumit an infinite number of ‘the fettered’ dwelling in my mind.

I vow to get rid of the innumerable defilements lurking in my mind.

I vow to have my mind assimilate into the countless systems of Dharma.

I vow to bring my essence of mind to attain the Supreme Buddhahood.”