Education is Heart-to-Heart

This is the thirty-seventh letter from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this message, he reflects on the impact of modern technology on the younger generation and the urgent need for a return to heart-to-heart education. This record was transcribed by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 22, 2017.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. The rapid advancement of the internet has allowed information to reach every corner of the globe. However, this development is a double-edged sword; it can be incredibly beneficial, yet it also carries the potential for great harm. Everything depends on how we utilise this convenient technology. Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper guidance and education, the negative aspects have largely prevailed. This has directly poisoned the minds of countless children and young people, slowly eroding their precious wisdom-life, bit by bit. Is everyone still unwilling to stand up and take action?

The Erosion of Our Youth

There is an overwhelming amount of digital noise—negative information, violence, pornography, mindless entertainment, and addictive online games. These distractions cause many children to become completely lost, unable to wake up to reality. Some, even at a very young age, begin to mimic harmful behaviours. It is truly a tragedy. If they do not receive a proper foundation in their youth, they will not only become a burden to society when they grow up, but from a deeper perspective on the meaning of life, one must ask: if this lifetime is wasted, how will they bear the consequences? The ubiquity of the internet has damaged the seedlings of our society. Young people are becoming increasingly reclusive and pessimistic, rarely engaging with the vastness of the natural world. They have allowed their hearts and minds to become narrow and constricted. This is a deeply concerning influence. How can we help such a society recover its hope for health and happiness?

The Rising Tide of Mental Health Struggles

We are seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from mental and physical illnesses. Because these issues are becoming so widespread and affecting younger people, society has attempted to soften the stigma by renaming psychiatric departments as 'body-mind clinics.' Yet, these clinics are often overflowing. More and more people are experiencing sleep disorders, imbalances in their Body-Mind-Spirit, depression, anxiety, restlessness, panic, and various other mental health challenges. While these issues may not yet be severe enough to cause total collapse, if this trend continues, how will people be able to live well? Furthermore, the growing reliance on technological services is not a positive phenomenon. Whenever this point is raised, it is often suppressed by a wave of opposition. Such concerns are silently dismissed as 'old-fashioned' thinking. The younger generation uses the term 'LKK' to describe this. I had heard this term before, though I did not originally understand it. I asked some young people, and they explained it to me. While I found the term somewhat endearing, I could not help but feel a deep sense of worry in my heart. Now, as I recall these past events and look at what is happening before us, it is truly distressing. I am no longer in the physical world, but is there anyone willing to step forward to help change this society? I am certain that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will not hesitate, but are there others willing to come forward to support and uphold this cause?

The Pillars of Our Future

This is a truly critical issue because all children are the pillars of our future society. If the pillars collapse or become weak, no matter how strong the house may appear, it cannot escape the fate of falling. Everyone desires a strong house, a place where they can live in peace and work with contentment. Without strong pillars, these things are impossible; society will only continue to sink. To the students of Dharma Drum Mountain, the Sangha University, and all educational systems: education is truly vital, as is the cultivation of character. I hope for the growth of every individual and the growth of society as a whole. If all children can learn well and achieve the status of dignified and virtuous monastics, they will certainly be able to influence other children to grow and learn as well. Through such positive, mutual influence, society will have the hope to stand tall once again.

A Call to the Fourfold Assembly

The education of the Buddha’s teachings truly needs to be promoted diligently. Just as I dedicated myself to promoting educational systems in the past, my initial intention was simply to hope that everyone could learn well. The scope of education is vast and wide; it must begin from the heart. Education is heart-to-heart—right is right, and wrong is wrong. The Truth and the Middle Way must be the primary subjects of our education. I have seen the excellent educational environment at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and I support it wholeheartedly. As long as everyone aligns themselves with the True Teachings, we can truly change everything. I encourage the fourfold assembly of Dharma Drum Mountain to stand up and learn well. You should be saving more people. But before that, you must first save yourselves. I am your master, Venerable Master Sheng Yen, and everyone should take responsibility for the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings. Namo Amituofo."