The four assistant methods

I. Foreword:

The main purpose of Buddha's existence was to benefit all beings. Therefore, none of His methods of civilization and education went beyond the purpose.

The same process applies to all Buddhists. Practicing Buddhism is not just for attaining one's enlightenment, but for others as well. This means benefaction. To practice the image of benefaction from Buddha, one needs to study the Four Assistant Methods (Bốn Nhiếp Pháp).

II. Definition:

The Four Assistant Methods (BÓn Nhi‰p Pháp) consist of four methods to morally cultivate the sentient beings. These methods are based upon one's compassion to educate beings in mending their ways. They are applied to all circumstances, situations, and have the ability to enlighten the living beings.

III. The Characteristics of the Four Assistant Methods:

The Four Assistant Methods are divided in four categories: To give alms, friendly speech, beneficial actions and collaboration.

1. There are three aspects of giving alms:

a. Donation of goods: Offer help to all beings who are in need of money, clothings, medicines, properties etc. This kind of offerring is considered as external wealth.

Offering of life, physical strength, speech, thoughts, opinions etc... are considered as internal wealth.

b. Donation of Dharma: Practice Buddha's teachings to educate and benefit beings, or praying to Buddhas to dedicate the merit to all beings.

c. Donation of Encouragement: Use all possible ways of donations to help release the pressure of a person facing danger and obstacles. Offer food and clothes for those impoverished. Never commit any ill action that frightens others. To ensure a successful benefaction, one should practice donation of goods, donation of Dharma and donation of encouragement. Find ways to save someone from difficulty. To educate beings so they are liberated from sufferings which have been created in the cycle of birth and death.

2. Friendly speech: Use soft, sweet, bright and clear words to influence people. To show more respect toward Buddha-Dharma-Sangha, one should always speak the truth.

3. Beneficial Actions: All beneficial actions include: The practice of donation of goods which helps to improve the living conditions of all beings, the practice of donation of Dharma which morally civilzes the beings, and the practice of donation of encouragement which gives all beings confidence and courage when they face problems. To be a success in practicing beneficial actions, one should observe the precepts purely, practice Buddhism diligently and, exterminate the craving and ignorance. Benefitting beings by beneficial actions will directly help the beings' living conditions. In order to provide the most absolute benefit to the beings, one should practice Buddhism deligently.

4. Collaboration: To be harmonized with all beings in any matters, and situations without distinguishing between the rich, and poor, the noble and the commoner etc...

IV. The Advantages of The four Assistant methods:

Besides civilizing, The Four Assistant Methods have the ability to give all other beings absolute benefits:

1. To give alms: To liberate one from poverty, bad karma, and from all negative environments.

2. Friendly speech: To help one understands all profound sutra, eliminate all defilements and sufferings, live in happiness, and accumulate merits.

3. Beneficial actions: To support all beings by accumulating good deeds and morals in every action and thought.

4. Collaboration: To help all beings eliminate evil actions and thoughts, and become perfect.

V. Conclusion:

The Four Assistant Methods are very concrete methods. Based upon Buddha's boundless compassion, beneficial action conduct is the main conduct. It is the highest, unique purpose in the existence of Buddha. Therefore, The Four Assistant Methods carry a most surpassing value. They also represent the immeasurable will of the Buddha.