Enduring the Test: The Path to True Success

The Crucible of True Success

Success always belongs to those who can endure the test and persist until the very end. Even if one retreats just one second before the moment of success, that person remains a failure. They remain disconnected from true success, yet they leave a deep impression on their consciousness, adding many memories and experiences to their Alaya consciousness. For those who start a new endeavour to build a legacy, one must be able to endure hardship and withstand the tests that come their way. For a practitioner, achieving success in their skills and ultimately realising one's true nature requires even more. One must overcome the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, as well as the interference of karma. You must be able to endure the test, strive forward with all your might, and never let a single moment pass in idleness. Before you have realised your true nature, do not become arrogant or complacent, thinking you have achieved something great. It is often at such moments that one breaks their wings and falls.

Defining the Path of the Practitioner

Many people define success in different ways, and everyone holds a unique perspective on what it means to succeed. For a practitioner, however, the definitions are clear: realising one's true nature is success; being reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is success; or, regardless of the result, if you can endure the tests and achieve breakthroughs during your efforts, that is also success. This perspective is one that most people can accept. Because the results—whether they appear as success or failure—are bound by the laws of karma and cause and effect, we should not judge success or failure solely by the outcome. Seeking fame, fortune, and reputation in the outside world is driven by desire, and it is a pursuit that never ends. You must be able to endure the test, look inward to seek your true nature, and save yourself and others so that all may be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only true success.

The Compassionate Guidance of the Good Teacher

In the process of diligent practice and purification, if there is a conflict between the "self" and "no-self," you must be able to endure the test. You must remove the ego and gradually reach the state of no-self; only then can your practice take a great step forward. A Good Teacher plays a crucial role in this process. They can clearly see the student's situation, guide the student to identify their own problems, and help them quickly repent, change their ways. Furthermore, they have the ability to help resolve the karmic debts between the student and their karmic creditors.

Resolving karmic debts is a very important stage in one's practice. If a practitioner possesses true virtue and skill—or has even realised their true nature—they have already broken free from the shackles of fate and karma. They are free, cool, and at ease. They are respected by the spirits of the land, ghost deities, and even demon crowds, who may even be willing to serve as Dharma protectors, helping to resolve many disasters and interferences.

Resolving the Knots of Karma

If a practitioner has not yet realised their true nature and is still influenced by karma and karmic creditors, they cannot easily master their own destiny. This is precisely when they need the divine sight and hearing of a Good Teacher. The teacher provides the guidance to help resolve the karmic debts with karmic creditors and performs Chao Du to help sentient beings be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the most urgent task and the ultimate method to save beings from the cycle of birth and death. It also helps the practitioner find their true self sooner.

If you have the heart to learn the Buddha’s teachings, to repent, and to change your ways, encountering physical illness or setbacks is actually a critical juncture. It is a moment where your practice will either progress, retreat, or remain stagnant. Under the care of a Good Teacher, if you can break through physical obstacles and face them bravely, you can endure any test. By responding with a positive attitude and bringing forth positive energy through your mental notes, you possess the greatest power to solve problems. By clearing the mind and resolving doubts, you will believe, then truly understand and practise, eventually realising the truth and your true nature. All of this is not for yourself, but for all beings. After realising your true nature, you should, like your Good Teacher, lead those who come after you to also realise their true nature. This is what we call the transmission of the Dharma.

The Unwavering Mind Amidst the Storm

Furthermore, regarding any requirements or words of encouragement from a Good Teacher, do not deconstruct them or pick them apart word by word. Doing so will easily cause you to lose the original intent of the words. You should know that the teacher's intention is to help the student "see through" and "let go" of their self-knowledge, self-view, and ego-attachment, and to understand the truth of emptiness. Therefore, you should not have feelings, reactions, or emotions toward any of their words. You must know that where there is a "self," there are feelings; where there is attachment, there are reactions. None of these states allow for the realisation of one's true nature. If there is no self, then any external test will be met without feeling, reaction, or emotion, just like an arrow shot into empty space—it cannot cause any harm.

When the test you encounter involves words that seem illusory and untrue, you must realise that the moment itself is also illusory and untrue. You should not dwell in the mind; have no feelings, no reactions, and no emotions. Then, you will be able to pass the test without incident. If you have feelings, reactions, and emotions, you only increase your own sorrow and pain. Suffering will follow, and you may even become resentful. If this happens, you have failed the test. Your practice will stall, making it difficult to move forward, and you may even retreat. If you truly have a fault, you should be grateful to the other person for their guidance and reminder, which prevents you from continuing to act in ignorance and creating negative karma. You should improve immediately. If you can truly do this—enduring the test, acknowledging your mistakes, and changing your ways while accepting the test with positive energy—your practice will take a great step forward.

The Radiance of a Transformed Life

When a practitioner is diligent and persistent, if they can endure the layers of tests presented by the Buddha’s teachings and truly put in the work, they can wash away the stains of the cycle of rebirth. They can achieve a Buddha-heart and Buddha-nature, just like the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; this is the realisation of one's true nature. For an ordinary person, if they can endure layer upon layer of tests—such as the appearance of old age, sickness, and decline—and if they can purify themselves and change their ways in time, they will be able to return to their original, pristine state.

It is possible! Being bathed in Buddha-light and the polishing of various tests allow the hard stone to gradually become clear and soft. It sheds its hard outer shell, giving the diamond hidden within a chance to emerge, flashing with dazzling light to illuminate the darkness. Just as a ship must have sufficient supplies and perfect equipment after setting sail, it must be able to endure the tests of great winds and waves. By being able to face any situation that may arise, the voyage will reach its destination as wished.

What is meant by a complete transformation? It is the result of going through various tests, thoroughly "seeing through" and "letting go" from the bottom of your heart, and transforming every cell in your body. The mind can transform the body, and the body follows the mind. When the body and mind are transformed—becoming selfless, without ego, and without idle thoughts—the body and mind become clear, transparent, and flawless. The Six Roots become pure and clear. This is the appearance of a complete transformation. This is the path of learning the Buddha’s teachings in this life to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, to save oneself and others, and to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo