This is an excellent book on Mahayana Buddhism, with a focus on the Pure Land school. After explaining that Buddhism is an education, it discusses the goal of practice as well as the symbolism of Buddhist images and offerings. Covered in depth are the Five Guidelines of the Three Conditions, Six Harmonies, Threefold Learning, Six Paramitas, and Ten Great Vows.
Liao-Fan's Four Lessons was originally written in the Ming Dynasty of China by Mr. Liao-Fan Yuan. The book was intended to teach his son, Tien-Chi Yuan, how to recognize the true face of destiny, how to tell good from evil, and the method for correcting one's faults and practicing kind deeds. It also provided living proof of the rewards and outcomes of people who practiced kind deeds and cultivated virtue and humility. Relating from his own experience at changing destiny, Mr. Yuan himself was a living embodiment of his teachings.
After reading this wonderful book, one may feel more open and confident towards life, and at the same time, courageously compelled to follow the example of Liao-Fan in changing one's original destiny. Liao-Fan's Four Lessons is truly a rare book which is not only precious to an individual's spiritual needs, but is also capable of transforming unhealthy attitudes in today's society.
