Collective Comfort and the Sacred Vow: The Fourteenth Letter of President Zhao Puchu

The Sacred Vow of Renunciation

"You have renounced the home life!" When a friend who has not seen you for a long time utters these words, their tone is often filled with profound astonishment. This exclamation is usually followed by a series of concerned questions. In their words, you can hear a worry that far outweighs any sense of congratulation or joy. Why has the situation become this way? It seems that the sacred, noble nature of renouncing the worldly life has been largely forgotten by the modern world.

The Erosion of the Monastic Spirit

During the periods of the True Teachings and the Semblance Dharma, the act of renunciation was considered a magnificent and momentous event. The dignified bearing and the rigorous practice of monastics commanded deep respect and reverence from all people. However, as the tides of time have shifted, the monastic community has, in many places, unfortunately devolved into a state of collective comfort. We must ask ourselves: what has become of the noble mission of those who have left the home life?

• The Influence of Worldly Trends: The fleeting fashions and secular trends of the mundane world are now clearly visible within the monastic community.
• Distraction by Mundane News: The latest sensational news topics are passed from mouth to mouth among monastics, replacing the study of the sutras.
• Loss of Distinction: When one sees monastics mingling in the crowded aisles of department stores, one must wonder: has the difference between the monastic life and the secular life been reduced merely to the style of one's robes and the absence of hair?

The Urgent Mission of the Monastic

Renunciation does not necessarily require extreme asceticism, but it certainly should never be a life of ease and indulgence. The path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss requires monastics to serve as beacons and guides for all beings. The suffering of sentient beings is vast, and it is the sacred duty of the monastic to extend a helping hand to rescue them. Do you still remember these fundamental tasks? Do you still hold the vow to save infinite suffering beings?

To lead others to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must first ensure that you are capable of achieving it yourself. If you continue to follow your current mode of practice, you will find that there is no place for you on the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Instead, the path you are currently treading will lead you toward the intense, chaotic life of the lower realms. While you still possess the power of choice, you must make a decisive and clear-cut decision.

A Call to Return to the Right Path

If you still harbour the aspiration to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must act with urgency. I implore you to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre as soon as possible. There, you will have the opportunity to readjust your mode of practice and realign your life with the true path that leads directly to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Do not let this precious opportunity slip through your fingers, for the time to awaken is now.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Fajing.