On October 10, 2017, National Master Xianshou provided these essential teachings. One must be cautious! Do not assume that small, seemingly insignificant actions are harmless simply because they do not immediately injure others. Such conduct diminishes your dignity and reflects a lack of . When visitors come to the centre, those with clear eyes will observe the fine details of your behaviour. You must be cautious in these moments.
You should always strive to be steady and composed. Ensure that your surroundings are orderly, and move with a sense of purpose—neither rushing nor lingering. Maintain a state of grace in all that you do, for your external conduct is a mirror of your internal state.
The Preciousness of Time and Space
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that a brief moment of laziness is acceptable. You might tell yourself that you will just rest for a moment, yet before you realise it, an hour or two has slipped away. Time does not wait for you, but space is waiting for you to fill it with meaningful action. Every minute and every second should be used for its proper purpose. Be vigilant, lest your thoughts become clouded by turbidity.
The Triple of Body, Speech, and Mind
Do not believe that it is acceptable to engage in conversation or perform tasks while carrying an attitude of levity, arrogance, or disregard. When you act with such a careless spirit, you are already creating negative karma through your Body, Speech, and Mind. The afflictions and karma have already arrived at your doorstep.
If you continue in this manner without awareness, failing to stop these habits in time, the afflictions and karma will take root and begin to exert their influence. This will inevitably create obstacles in your practice. You must be cautious! Only through sincere repentance and genuine change can you progress.
Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Neglect
Do not allow yourself to become so accustomed to routine that you neglect your duties or perform them in a haphazard way. Such conduct damages your virtue and makes it difficult to lead or inspire others. You must remain respectful and cautious at all times; do not let your guard down. It is helpful to remind yourself and to support one another in this vigilance.
Do not fall into the habit of thinking: it is only a small matter, so it does not matter; I will just do it this one time; I can forgive myself for this minor lapse; or I will do better next time. Many habits are difficult to discover and even harder to change precisely because we accumulate them until they become illnesses—both physical and spiritual. These habits harm not only yourself but also those around you. Do not indulge or excuse yourself. Always remember to be careful in your speech and cautious in your actions; speak only when it is necessary, and act only when it is appropriate.
The Unfailing Laws of Karma
Do not think that the laws of karma and cause and effect are slow to manifest. They are always close at hand, affecting you in the present and extending to your descendants in the future. If you fail to correct your mistakes and continue to repeat them, small faults will accumulate, eventually leading to major transgressions. Your practice will struggle to advance, and you will find yourself moving forward only to fall back again. You must be cautious!
Do not disregard a small fault, and do not fail to perform a small act of Goodness. To be strict with oneself and generous toward others is a timeless maxim that remains true throughout the ages.
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How others treat you—whether they treat you unkindly, speak harsh words, act with aggression, avoid you, or look at you with disdain—is a reflection of their own conduct. It has nothing to do with you. Do not let their behaviour become an interference or a provocation that causes your mind to fluctuate with emotion, worries, or sorrow. Do not respond in kind, and do not compete for superiority. Instead, treat everyone with compassion and a smile.
For those who are engaged in practice, constant self-reflection is essential. Do not look down upon daily tasks such as cleaning or social interaction; it is through these small things that one can see the greater truth. If you see a simple task that needs doing, do it immediately. To see a need and ignore it is a great pity.
Cultivating the Mind for the Benefit of All
Practice is the process of cultivating the mind. Your hearts and actions must be balanced, and your understanding must be matched by your deeds. Only then can you be of great use to the world. The skills of the heart still need to be nurtured. Only through diligent practice can you make long-term progress.
The accumulation of merit and virtue begins within the heart. Every little bit serves as provisions for your journey. These provisions are for saving all beings, and in doing so, you are also saving yourself. The provisions for rebirth in the are shared between yourself and all beings. As you accumulate merit, expand your mind-capacity to that of the . Do not keep these benefits for yourself alone; share them with all, so that everyone may find the path to liberation.
This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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More from Teachings of State Preceptor Xianshou: The Third Huayan Patriarch
