Can you awaken on your own or does spiritual growth require other people? In Episode 27 of Vibe with Venerables, Venerable Dr. Juewei of the Nan Tien Institute reflects on the Sūtra of the Eight Realizations of Great Beings and gently questions the idea that enlightenment is something we achieve alone (even with excellent meditation technique).
The Sutra outlines eight principles for cultivating Buddhahood: impermanence of the material world, excessive desire as the root of suffering, contentment, diligence, wisdom, giving, restraint, and universal liberation for all beings.
Drawing on these Buddhist teachings and lived experience, Venerable Juewei explores what it means to co-suffer, co-awaken, and co-serve—and why awakening unfolds not in isolation, but through relationship, responsibility, and care for one another. Along the way, she considers the limits of solitary practice, the value of shared care, and why service is part of the path itself, using metaphors like eight stacked stones and a boat with anchors to illustrate the collective journey toward enlightenment.
Rooted in Humanistic Buddhism, this episode also looks at everyday life—including food, work, and collective well-being—as fertile ground for wisdom. Rather than escaping the world, we’re invited to meet it together, with clarity, compassion, and maybe even a good meal.
References
Sūtra of the Eight Realizations of Great Beings
A Prayer for the People Who Transcribe Sutras and Hear the Dharma
Donation
This series is freely offered by Buddhism.net. If you’d like, you may make a donation directly to Venerable Juewei at the Nan Tien Institute.
We thank you for dāna, the practice of cultivating generosity.
