A student once asked me if the innumerable Buddhas from the ten directions ever met for an "inter-Buddha world conference." I answered, "If the Buddhas were lonely or had nothing to do, I suppose they could call a meeting." I was joking of course. Actually, Buddhas do not have the idea that they are doing anything, and they are never lonely, so they do not have to call meetings. "All the Buddhas in the ten directions" is a convenient phrase that is easy to remember, but in fact each Buddha exists in every point of space and every moment of time. Since Buddhas encompass all of space and time, they cannot be pinpointed in any specific place or moment.
The Buddha's wisdom and merit are unlimited, and he can manifest in innumerable forms, places and times simultaneously, so he helps all sentient beings. Anytime, anywhere, if one has karmic affinity with the Buddha ─ that is, if one lives in accordance with Buddhadharma ─ then one can receive benefit from the Buddha. Furthermore, one person does not receive more benefit than another person. It is not like the inheritance children receive from their parents. If parents divide their wealth into three equal shares, but they have four children, then one child will lose out. Buddha's wisdom is limitless and does not discriminate. It is as if the parents could divide their wealth into four parts, yet still give each child the entirety of their wealth.
Realizing your true nature is like obtaining the mani pearl, an inexhaustible treasure with which you can help yourself and others. We all possess the mani pearl, but few of us have uncovered it. We are all potential Buddhas, but few of us have realized our original nature. We must practice and be guided. Buddhadharma guides all of us equally, yet some people benefit from it more than others. In a single sound, the Buddha speaks the totality of Buddhadharma to every sentient being in all worlds, but each sentient being absorbs a different meaning from that sound, and some hear nothing at all.
The moon shines on the river, the breeze stirs the pine.
What is there to do on a long, pleasant night?