How do Bodhisattas remember their vow in future lives? If they haven’t received a definite prophecy yet, how do they remember to keep aspiring for it in future lives until they receive it? Does aspiring for Buddhahood whenever one does good deeds make it more likely that one will aspire for it again in future lives?
Also, I realized if someone aspires for Buddhahood and is afraid of bad realms, he shouldn’t be afraid of the aspiration or the prophecy itself. Instead, he should be afraid of bad actions because the aspiration or prophecy doesn’t lead one to bad realms. Bad actions lead one to bad realms, so as long as one practices Dana, Sila, and Bhavana, they will avoid bad realms
From the Commentary on the Chronicle of Buddha Dīpaṅkara
Praise of Giving (Dāna)
“Giving is regarded as the supreme cause
of happiness and other blessings;
and it is said to be the foundation
and the stairway to Nibbāna.“Giving is the refuge of human beings;
giving is their friend and final reliance;
for beings overwhelmed by suffering,
giving is the highest destination.“Because it helps one cross over suffering,
giving is described as a boat;
because it protects from fear,
it is praised as a city.“Because it is difficult to assail,
it is even called a serpent;
and because it is unstained
by the dirt of greed and defilements,
it is like a lotus.“There is no support in the world
equal to giving for a person;
therefore practice it
with right intention and resolve.“Giving is the cause of heaven;
what wise person, delighting in welfare,
would not give?“Hearing that prosperity among the gods
arises from giving,
what person would not give that gift
which brings happiness
and gladdens the mind?“One who practices giving
is surrounded by celestial nymphs
and delights for a long time
in the Nandana and Sura-nandana gardens.“The giver obtains abundant joy;
he gains honor in this world;
he attains endless fame;
he becomes trustworthy.“Having given, that person gains wealth and long life;
he obtains a pleasant voice and beauty;
in heaven he sports with the gods,
dwelling in celestial mansions
echoing with the cries of intoxicated peacocks.“Wealth may be seized by thieves, enemies, kings, water, or fire;
but giving is a treasure that cannot be taken away.
It leads to the ground of disciple-knowledge,
to the level of a Paccekabuddha,
and even to Buddhahood.”
Praise of Morality (Sīla)
“Morality is the supreme cause of happiness;
through morality the virtuous one goes to heaven.
For one who has entered saṃsāra,
morality is protection, shelter, and final refuge.“There is no support equal to morality
for people, here or hereafter.
Morality is the supreme foundation of virtues,
as the earth is for all that moves and stands.“Morality alone is truly beautiful;
morality is unsurpassed in the world.
One who conducts himself according to noble practice
is called virtuous.”There is no ornament like morality;
no fragrance like the fragrance of morality;
nothing cleanses defilements like morality;
nothing cools the burning of passions like morality;
nothing generates fame like morality;
no stairway to heaven like morality;
and no door to enter the city of Nibbāna like morality.As it is said:
“Kings adorned with pearls and jewels
do not shine
as do ascetics adorned with morality.“No fragrance equals the fragrance of morality;
it spreads alike
with and against the wind.“Not the fragrance of flowers,
nor sandalwood, nor jasmine—
but the fragrance of the virtuous
spreads in all directions.“Not even the Ganges, Yamunā,
or the great rivers
can cleanse beings of their defilements;
but the water of morality
washes away impurity.“Not clouds, winds, sandalwood,
garlands, jewels, or moonbeams
can cool beings’ inner heat
as does noble morality,
which is supremely cooling.“Morality removes the fear of self-reproach and blame;
it always brings praise and good reputation.“What other stairway to heaven is there
equal to morality?
What other door
for entering Nibbāna?“Know the unsurpassed benefits of morality—
it is the root of virtues
and destroys the strength of faults.”
Its a habit. They sometimes remember sometimes they dont. You have to already be of impeccable character and perfection when you even make the first aspiration in order to ensure that you will also have the aspiration in future lives.
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