Everything is Good, Everyone is Good

The Worldly Pursuit of Goodness

People in this world are constantly searching for what they perceive as good. They pursue it with relentless energy, believing that achieving this state of goodness is the ultimate goal of their lives. In the eyes of the world, this goodness is measured by tangible achievements and external stability. It manifests in many forms: excelling in one's studies, maintaining a stable career, enjoying harmonious relationships with one's spouse, being well-liked by others, and finding success in one's work.

This worldly definition of goodness serves as a form of security. It is seen as the reward for one's hard work and dedication. When a person performs well, they are often granted higher income, greater recognition, and better feedback than the average person. This is the impression that worldly success leaves upon the minds of the masses. However, we must pause to consider the foundation upon which this success is built.

The Hidden Cost of Competition

This worldly goodness is almost always established upon a foundation of intense competition. To stand at the top, one must outshine others, often at the expense of their own peace of mind. Throughout this process of striving, one’s thoughts and intentions become countless and turbulent. This constant state of agitation and desire inevitably attracts numerous karmic creditors and attached spirits who are drawn to the energy of our attachments.

When the number of these attached spirits accumulates to a certain degree, a critical shift occurs. There comes a moment when you are no longer the master of your own life; you are effectively replaced. You may notice that your appearance begins to change, and your thoughts and methods of doing things shift in ways that feel foreign. Because you are no longer in control, you are essentially using your own body to carry out the will of these external influences. This situation is clear to those with a discerning eye, to the Buddha or Bodhisattva, and to true spiritual friends, yet you yourself remain entirely unaware of it.

Living Within the Shadows of Attachment

This is the current state of the human world. Most people live their lives deeply immersed in Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, while being driven by wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. They are trapped in a cycle of chasing shadows, unaware that the very things they pursue are the chains that bind them to the cycle of rebirth.

The Path of True Practice

In contrast, the path of true practice is one of openness and clarity. It is a state where the heart is empty of attachments, selfless, and free from the need to compete or struggle. In this state of being, we learn to embrace one another, treating all beings with compassion. We do not fight over who is first, nor do we look down upon those who follow behind. We act naturally, in accordance with the flow of the universe.

Mahayana Buddhism is the path to attain Buddhahood. It is built upon the pillars of sincerity, pure, and equality. To walk this path, you must:

• Look inward to find the truth within your own heart.Practise constant self-reflection and self-examination.Willingly change your ways when you identify your faults.Awaken your awareness and refuse to be stained by worldly defilements again.Diligently uphold the Discipline (Precepts), cultivate meditative concentration, and develop Wisdom (Prajna).

When you view all things through the lens of oneness, your true self-nature will naturally manifest. By doing so, you will give rise to all roots of goodness and achieve the fruit of Bodhi, ultimately attaining Buddhahood. When the heart is pure and the mind is still, everything is good, and everyone is good. Namo Amituofo.