Practice as True Education

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who shares profound insights on the nature of spiritual practice and the vital role of Buddhist education in the modern world. This account was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin on May 14, 2019.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When we quiet our minds, we often discover a multitude of voices echoing within. Especially in moments of stillness, one begins to realise that our thoughts are incredibly chaotic, continuous, and relentless. Sometimes these thoughts concern ourselves, while at other times, they have absolutely nothing to do with us. Much of this mental noise is simply the result of our own judgements and perceptions formed after what our eyes have seen. Having spent so much time in this world, we often mistakenly believe that what we see, hear, and judge is based on the accumulation of our past experiences, and therefore, it cannot be wrong. But in truth, if we wish to transcend the worldly, these very experiences become our greatest obstacles.

The Trap of Subjectivity

Experience often implies a very strong sense of subjectivity. When our subjectivity is too strong, it becomes difficult to listen to the opinions of others. We find ourselves spinning in circles within our own preconceived notions, effectively trapping ourselves in a dead end. After beginning our practice of the Buddha’s teachings, we often hope for immediate results, expecting that our efforts will yield effects just as they do in worldly matters. However, we fail to realise that the process of internal purification is one that must occur layer by layer. It requires us to truly let go.

Many people lack the necessary patience and desire immediate manifestation. If, during the process of studying the Buddha’s teachings, we have not purified our hearts to a certain degree of purity, it is very difficult for our true self to manifest. The manifestation of one's true self is a natural occurrence; it cannot be forced or demanded through sheer will.

Nurturing the Next Generation

Modern education often teaches children to have very strong personalities. They are taught to want to win, to want to stand out, and to crave the attention and understanding of others. During this developmental process, it is essential to provide timely guidance so that children can achieve a balanced psychological growth. Children are the pillars of our future; they possess infinite potential and, if they have not yet been heavily polluted by the world, their innate capacity for the Dharma can manifest very quickly if we are simply patient.

A rigid, ego-driven personality is a source of suffering. It causes children to experience many unnecessary collisions and conflicts. Before their personalities are fully formed, we should teach them to help others and to serve others. We must encourage them not to focus solely on themselves. If the concept of 'oneness' is established from a young age, and if they learn to live without discriminations, they will not have to struggle as hard as those of us who have already been tainted by the world.

The Greatest Blessing

When children have the Causal Conditions to come to a Buddha-land and receive the protection of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, patriarchs, and venerable masters, they can, through proper cultivation, become great vessels for the Dharma, capable of Awakening and realising their true nature. Providing children with a Buddhist education from a young age is the greatest blessing they can receive in this lifetime. By setting aside the distractions of the world and allowing children to learn the meaning of true compassion, we offer them something far more valuable than material luxuries, which only foster vanity and greed.

Our children should become leaders who uplift society, not those who destroy it. When this is achieved, the hearts of the adults will also find peace. Only through the study of the Buddha’s teachings can one truly find peace in old age and ensure that one’s body and mind are put to good use. The difference between the worldly and the transcendental lies in the true nourishment of the heart. When the heart is pure and natural, that is the true intent of practice. The meaning of practice is profound, vast, and yet very grounded. I hope everyone can contemplate this deeply. Looking at flowers through the mist is never as good as stepping out of the mist to see the truth for yourself. Namo Amituofo."

This message was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin.