Holy Master Ziguang Shang Shi delivered a discourse on how the Medicine Buddha attained Buddhahood:

When the Medicine Buddha embarked on the path to Buddhahood, it began with a foundation. What is this foundation? Throughout countless kalpas, He has possessed one thing—a heart of compassion.

Only one with a heart of compassion can perform deed of compassion; the heart and the deeds of compassion are inseparable. Compassion for whom? For all sentient beings. Seeing the afflictions, suffering, and the cycle of life and death endured by all beings, compassionate arose in his heart. This compassionate heart is essential and requires the power of a Buddha. Therefore, he pursued the path of Buddha, and under the Buddha's guidance, he became a Bodhisattva who made twelve great vows.

The process of making vows is like the sprouting of a seed, which then grows toward fruition. Once the sprout emerges, one must see whether the fruit will survive unscathed. Within the Medicine Buddha's heart burns a fire—the fire of compassion. His heart holds all beings in the world, and whenever He encounters them, He seeks to enlighten and liberate them. This is the origin of the Twelve Great Vows.

Event: Eastern Medicine Buddha's Birthday Dharma Assembly

Venue: Great Hero Hall, Holy Mountain Buddha Land