Before his passing, Venerable Master Miao Lien urged his disciples to cultivate their original “Mind of Great Compassion.” This can only be realized, he said, “by practicing the Dharma sincerely and honestly.” In publishing this book, Lingyen Mountain Temple’s wish is that everyone can take up the Venerable Master’s challenge and “make the courageous resolve to help others as well as your¬self to obtain liberation.” “You don’t think you can’t do it,” the Venerable Master said, “because you feel you are just an ordinary person and dare not make great vows.” Let A Compassionate Life inspire you to cultivate your Mind of Great Compassion courageously and continuously, so we can all follow the Venerable Master from this sea of suffering to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.