Diligent Practice and True Wisdom

The Foundation of Sincere Effort

Diligent practice is the vital lifeblood of your spiritual journey, a force so profound that its potential for transformation is beyond the reach of ordinary imagination. When you embark upon the path of practice, every step you take must be firmly rooted in the soil of Truth. You must strive, step by step, with a heart dedicated to your true self. If you can commit yourself to this path with unwavering sincerity, the fruits of your labour will inevitably be magnificent, and the attainment of your spiritual goals will be assured.

Diligent practice is the very key that unlocks the door to achievement. Your journey of practice will naturally require you to pass through many moments of profound realisation, as well as the gentle, transformative influence of the Truth. By nurturing the genuine, inherent capabilities within your true self, you seek to reclaim your original heart and realise your true nature. This is the ultimate goal of your diligent practice. Diligent practice requires a practice that is honest, grounded, and steady. For every ounce of effort you dedicate to your spiritual growth, you must give your absolute best; you should not be overly concerned with the immediate, tangible results of your actions, but rather focus entirely on giving your wholehearted effort in every situation.

The Wholehearted Commitment to the Great Work

When you have the capacity to give, you must give with your whole heart. When you have the capacity to act, you must act with your full strength. Whether you are contributing through your material resources, your spirit, your physical vitality, or your professional skills, you must exert yourself fully. By doing so, you contribute to the collective success of the path of spreading the Dharma and the path of personal practice. This practice is a great and noble undertaking, one that requires the support of the entire universe.

If everyone can exhaust their capabilities to manage this work—whether it is cultivating one's own true self or contributing to the greater cause of collective practice—diligent practice becomes the most vital source of power. By adjusting your own practice and fully utilising your unique abilities, you are simultaneously engaging in both personal cultivation and the act of Generosity. When you strive with a positive and diligent heart, you are not only benefiting the masses; you are also securing your own spiritual advancement. Through the knowledge you acquire and the experiences you gather, a heart that seeks to learn with diligence will inevitably discover the most important realms of practice. Practice is the means by which you find your way back to your true self, but the outcome depends entirely on how you choose to implement that practice in your daily life.

The World as a Classroom for Awakening

When you study the teachings of the Buddha, you must ask yourself: are you truly learning the essence of the Buddha's wisdom, or are you merely observing the surface? The power and the heart behind these two approaches are vastly different, and the resulting states of mind will be equally distinct. One who learns the true purity of the Buddha seeks the inner essence, while one who only learns the external forms is not yet truly awakened. They are merely performing actions without the substance of the Truth.

Within the vast, expansive realm of the Dharma, every person you encounter and every situation you face serves as an object of learning. The coming and going of people in your life provides endless opportunities for you to explore and deepen your practice. Diligent practice means being awake and aware at every moment, in every place. It means being able to draw inferences from a single instance and awakening to the Truth within the mundane. You must know how to transform yourself from within. If you can change your own heart, you will gradually turn towards the right path. In this way, you learn to awaken your own wisdom and clarity. When you reach a state of true purity and coolness, you will inevitably find your way back to your original nature.

Maintaining Stillness Amidst the Illusory

The affairs of this world are ultimately illusory. You must recognise the power of the Right Way and not allow the external world to disturb your inner peace. Your meditative concentration should be rooted in the clarity of your heart. You must know what is correct and avoid being led astray by fantasies or illusory forces, for these are not the substance of reality. Whenever your heart is moved, or when thoughts arise, you must be careful not to be pulled into the cycle of illusion, for that is not the path of true practice.

Diligent practice lies in knowing how to regulate your own heart. Do not fall into the trap of the unreal. Understand the ultimate meaning of the Truth, know how to give your heart completely to your practice, and remain as pure as the lotus. Do not become attached to the purity of external appearances, and do not learn from the surface of things. This is the true way to act and the true way to exert your strength. Only in this way can you truly reclaim your true self and prevent yourself from creating obstacles on your own path.

Returning to the Original Nature

Practice should be a reflection of your true strength. Seek true wisdom through diligent practice, and do not allow yourself to be buried in the dust of worldly affairs. Remain natural and at ease, with your original heart unmoved. Your heart should be brilliant and clear. When you know the Truth, you will understand what does not need to be answered and what does not need to be engaged with. The Truth lies in knowing your own heart, in the clear realisation of the right path, and in the genuine understanding of worldly affairs. This is like the light of your own true nature.

Learning the Buddha's teachings is about awakening your wisdom. Give your heart and your strength to this pursuit, know the Truth, and fulfil your original purpose. Do not fall into the trap of discussing the Dharma without putting it into practice. Instead, engage in true and honest action, step by step, with a firm and steady heart. Resolve the conflicts within your own nature, cast aside the delusions of the world, and bring your cycle of being reincarnated to an end here and now. You must be clear about this, so that you no longer fall into the suffering of samsara. Learn to find your way back to your true self and remain awake and clear in this world. I hope to see all beings leave suffering behind, but the most important factor is your own effort. No matter how many teachings you study, you must ultimately return to your own nature and transform your knowledge into action. Namo Amituofo.