Shixian

Author Shixian (實賢, 1686–1734) also known as Master Xing'an (省庵大師). He is venerated as the 11th Patriarch of the Chinese Pure Land School. The text is a deeply influential essay written after Shixian experienced a sudden spiritual awakening. It outlines ten causes and conditions for initiating the "Bodhi mind" (the aspiration for enlightenment) and distinguishes between different forms of a vow (such as "true" vs. "false" or "great" vs. "small").