Beyond the Illusion of Comparison and Competition

The Universal Truth of Buddha-Nature

All beings possess the true self and the Buddha-nature. This is not merely a fundamental concept in the study of the Buddha's teachings; it is the absolute truth of reality. The ultimate purpose of our practice is to realise this true self, to awaken to our inherent Buddha-nature, and to attain Buddhahood. For the monastics, this responsibility is even more profound. They are tasked with the sacred duty of transmitting the Buddha's teachings, educating all beings to recognise the truth of reality, and guiding them to be free from the sufferings of samsara and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and even helping them to realise their true self and attain Buddhahood.

The Solitary Path of Self-Transformation

You must understand that spiritual practice is entirely your own affair. A Buddha is one who has achieved perfect enlightenment—having awakened oneself, awakened others, and perfected the practice of awakening. The entire journey from beginning your studies to the final attainment of Buddhahood is a continuous process of learning to "see through" and "let go." It is a process of constantly adjusting and refining your own hearts and actions. Everything you do is about changing yourself; it has absolutely nothing to do with how others are performing.

• Your success is your own, and your failure is your own.
• Whether you are doing well or poorly, it is entirely up to you.
• No one can take your place, and no one can substitute for your efforts.

Given this, how can there be any room for competition? How can there be any basis for comparison?

Transcending the Cycle of Delusion

All beings are essentially Buddhas in their true nature. It is only because of our deep-seated confusion that we create artificial divisions: seeing "you" and "me," perceiving differences in status, wealth, or nobility. These delusions lead to the distinction between Buddhas and demons, giving rise to all manner of discriminations, delusions, and attachments. These, in turn, manifest as the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death—the very karma that keeps us trapped in samsara. As long as beings remain within this cycle, they are bound by the laws of karma, receiving their rewards and punishments without any true autonomy. Since this is entirely your own journey, unrelated to the actions of others, why would you ever seek to compete or compare?

The Practice of Non-Attachment

The path forward is simple: just do the work. Practise with the mindset of "acting without acting, and not acting while acting." When you perform your duties, do so with a pure heart, and once the task is complete, do not hold onto it in your mind. When you reach this state of clarity and detachment, where could the concepts of victory, defeat, or comparison possibly exist? They will vanish like mist in the morning sun, leaving only the clarity of your original nature. By focusing solely on your own purification and the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you will find the peace that transcends all worldly strife.

Namo Amituofo