In Chapter 28, the Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, the Buddha states there are four things a person needs to do in order to obtain the Dharma after his extinction, which is a time frame we fall in to, so we should consider these four things as instructions to us. The four things are: 1. secure protection of the Buddhas; 2. plant roots of virtues; 3. reach the stage of steadiness on the path to enlightenment; and 4. resolve to save all living beings. And note that when he makes this statement he says men and women should do these four things.