Distinguishing Right from Wrong: Teachings of Master Xuanzang

The Veils of Illusion in Human Judgment

If our judgments of right and wrong are not backed by the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, who can truly claim that their words are without error? Within this world of the Five Turbidities and the endless cycle of rebirth, we are rarely the masters of our own intentions. Our body, speech, and mind are often laden with the heavy weight of karma, shaped by the complex tapestry of our destiny. Whether our actions are accepted by others often depends on the interplay between our individual karma and the environment we inhabit. We tend to drift along the currents of our fate, and as these currents unfold, our body, speech, and mind naturally manifest in ways that align with that karmic momentum.

Therefore, in this illusory world, before one has realised their true nature, the things we think, believe, do, and say are often merely expressions of our karma. They are not the ultimate reality; they are not the Truth. They are fleeting, illusory, and false—all actions performed under the governance of the laws of karma and cause and effect. In such a state, if you are a sincere practitioner, you must understand that the only things truly worthy of your time and spirit are to make good use of your practice environment, dissolve your karma, assist in the growth of your spiritual achievements, break through delusion to attain enlightenment, and return to your true self as soon as possible.

The Radiant Clarity of the Awakened Mind

Only after one has realised their true nature can their words, actions, and conduct be considered truly right. Only then are they aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. These are the words of reality and the actions of reality. Even when a teacher makes flexible adjustments based on the person, the time, or the location, these actions are performed solely to help everyone reach the goal of aligning with the Truth and their own true nature.

Most people in this world judge right and wrong based on their own life experiences, the education they have received, and their personal expertise. However, these very experiences, education, and expertise are themselves components of karma. When we make judgments based on these limited foundations, the actions that follow are merely the experiences we are destined to undergo within the cycle of rebirth. People live their lives trapped in this environment, which is why the cycle of rebirth continues without end.

Breaking Through the Roots of Doubt

In this age of the Dharma’s decline, people have become accustomed to living within illusions. If you wish to be assisted in moving away from these illusions and entering the realm of reality, you must have the necessary good roots, blessings, and causal conditions manifest before you. If these conditions are fully present, it is easy to have faith. However, if you harbour doubts, the roots of suspicion will manifest, and your good roots will be obscured. Everything you think, say, and do will remain illusory and false. If you persist in acting upon these doubts, you are merely creating more negative karma. You must turn back to the righteous path immediately to cease the creation of evil.

This requires the education of the Buddha’s teachings to guide all beings to understand the laws of karma and the facts of reality. By breaking through the roots of doubt and simultaneously practising the Pure Land method of chanting Namo Amituofo, you can achieve purification, increase your wisdom and compassion, and eventually have the opportunity to enter a state of pure goodness and realise your true nature. Once one has realised their true nature, their actions are real and correct. Therefore, you should listen to and have faith in the teachings and actions of those who have realised their true nature, for they can guide you from confusion to awakening, allowing you to find your true self sooner.

The Vigilance of the Fourfold Assembly

The fourfold assembly of disciples at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, under the guidance and leadership of Namo Amituofo and the awakened Practitioner Su, must be vigilant. When you feel doubt, disbelief, or even resentment toward the words of the practitioner or the Dharma protectors, you must realise that you have strayed far from your true nature. This is no longer your original intention; it means you have allowed your cells and karmic creditors to take control. Your karma has manifested, and you are suffering the consequences. You must quickly repent, change your ways, stop the creation of karma, and return to goodness.

The Threefold Path of Spiritual Growth

On the path of practice, there are different levels of progress:

• Those with superior good roots: They are like a sharp blade cutting through tangled hemp. They let go of everything instantly, achieving a state of total purity, with no mind, no thoughts, and no past errors. They have no ego, no temper, and no bad habits. This is the moment of realising their true nature.
• Those with average good roots: They progress step by step through continuous purification. They face the manifestation of karma, repent, change their ways, and purify again. They may feel trapped, but they break through, repent, and continue forward until they reach total purity, with no mind, no thoughts, and no ego.
• Those with inferior good roots: When karma manifests, they do not know how to repent and change, so they continue to suffer. Only when they finally learn to purify themselves, acknowledge their mistakes, and change, can they eventually reach the state of total purity and realise their true nature.

This process of purification and realisation may happen in stages or as a direct, singular breakthrough. Anything that goes against your true nature and keeps you far from it is considered wrong. This includes the Five Poisons, failing to change your personal ego and habits, and being attached to wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. Conversely, anything that aligns with your true nature and helps you realise it is considered right. This includes the Five Precepts and Ten Good Deeds, the Six Harmonies, the Six Paramitas, the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra, the Four Virtues of the Avatamsaka Sutra, wisdom, compassion, joy, and selfless giving, as well as confidence, a vast mind-capacity, and rejoicing in the progress of others.

The Ultimate Vow of the Pure Land Practitioner

Regardless of the speed of your progress, realising your true nature depends entirely on your heart. The heart of one who has realised their true nature possesses sensitive awareness and the ability to clearly distinguish right from wrong. If something is right, they do it; if it is wrong, they stop. There are no negative causes or actions, only the desire to awaken oneself and others, to perform good deeds, and to stop evil. The heart becomes as empty and clear as water, following the natural flow of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. As a practitioner of the Pure Land, when you see the suffering of beings, you should understand the importance of realising your true nature even more deeply. Actively chant Namo Amituofo, enter the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi, and save yourself and all beings, so that you may all be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo