To make progress in your practice every single day is not merely a personal achievement; it is a profound act of . When you commit to daily improvement, you are showing kindness to yourself, to the beings residing within your body, and to all those around you. Consider how you react when things do not go according to your wishes. In the past, you might have reacted with anger, your face contorted with fury, and sharp words spilling out instantly. If you can now catch yourself in that moment, and instead respond with a gentle tone—even if you still feel a trace of resentment—this is a significant step forward. This is the beginning of changing your personality.
True transformation occurs when you realise that these of dissatisfaction are merely illusions. When you can remain unaffected by external circumstances, maintaining a heart of compassion, free from anger and resentment, and facing every situation with a calm and steady mind, you have truly begun to change your personality. This is the essence of a practitioner who is genuinely moving forward on the path.
From Sorrow to the Fruit of
Many of us begin our journey with heavy hearts, our brows furrowed in constant worry. If you can now resolve that sorrow and allow a genuine smile to grace your face, this is progress. However, the goal is to go further. You must strive to reach a state where your entire being is aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way:
See Goodness: Train your eyes to perceive the inherent goodness in all things.
Think Goodness: Cultivate thoughts that are pure, kind, and aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Speak Goodness: Ensure your words are always uplifting, truthful, and compassionate.
Do Goodness: Let your actions be a reflection of your practice in every moment.
When these qualities become an inseparable part of your speech and conduct, you enter the realm of growing and achieving the fruit of Bodhi. This is the ultimate sign that you have successfully changed your personality and that your practice is bearing fruit.
During the
It is common for practitioners to feel drowsy or to drift into a deep, dreamlike space while listening to sutras, attending a Dharma assembly, or performing morning services. If you find yourself in this state, do not be discouraged. Instead, take it as an opportunity to actively change your personality. By chanting with sincerity, you will receive the Buddha’s . This power will help you improve and reduce these moments of or mental wandering. Eventually, you will find that you can listen to the Dharma with a clear and alert mind. When you can hear the teachings, recognise your own faults, and take practical steps to correct them, you are making steady progress.
The Discipline of Body and Spirit
We often find that due to physical habits or a lack of vitality, we require excessive sleep or fall into deep, unresponsive states of lethargy. When you recognise that your time at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre is precious, you will naturally strive to overcome these habits. Through diligent purification, you will find that your need for sleep gradually decreases, and you can align your daily routine with the temple’s regulations. This discipline is a clear sign of progress.
Similarly, many of us suffer from the signs of ageing, such as slow movements or a dull, lifeless complexion. If you can remain humble and modest, thoroughly change your personality, and reduce the influence of spiritual attachments, your will be resolved. As a result, you will notice that your movements become more agile, your complexion regains its natural lustre, and a genuine smile returns to your face. This, too, is a sign of progress.
I have listed these points for the fourfold assembly to use as a reference for your own self-reflection. I sincerely hope that all of you will actively work to change your personality, acknowledge your faults, and correct them. Daily progress is an essential condition for success in your practice. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
