Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo’s discourse:
Whether you are truly engaged in diligent practice or merely falling into lethargy depends entirely on the state of your heart and your actions. When your heart and your actions are unified on the path of diligent practice, you will move forward without ever retreating. Even when you encounter obstacles, you will find the strength to break through and continue your journey. This is what it means to practise with a sincere heart. It is the opposite of wasting your days, stopping at the first sign of difficulty, or letting time slip away in a state of lethargy.
Signs of True Spiritual Growth
How can you determine if your diligent practice is bearing fruit? You must look for the following signs within yourself:
The growth of :
When you truly understand the suffering of all beings, you will naturally strive to improve yourself so that you may save them and help them leave suffering behind. This is the manifestation of a compassionate heart.The of wisdom:
You will begin to understand that this current affinity is rare and precious, which will inspire you to remain active and persistent in your practice.A broadened perspective: Your vision will expand beyond the narrow confines of your own limited experiences. You will be able to distinguish between what is illusory and what is real, and having seen the truth, you will choose to avoid creating negative .
Expanding the Heart to Embrace All
A successful practitioner is one whose heart continues to open. You must ask yourself if your capacity for inclusion has grown. Have you moved past the point where you find it difficult to accept the goodness and achievements of others? A heart that has truly progressed is one that:
Views the goodness of others as if it were one's own.Regards the achievements of others as one's own accomplishments.Joyfully praises and celebrates the virtues and successes of all beings.
The Foundation of Humility and Discipline
Are you able to remain humble and modest? Can you admit when you are in the wrong? A practitioner who is truly diligent will no longer insist that they are always right while labelling others as wrong. They will abandon the habits of arrogance, anger, criticism, and dissatisfaction. Furthermore, consider your commitment to your daily practice:
Punctuality:
Are you able to attend your daily practice and listen to sutras and hear the Dharma on time? This is a sign of respect for yourself and for the rules of the temple.Mutual Respect:
By showing this respect, you will naturally earn the respect of other beings, making them more willing to resolve the conflict between you.Knowing when to stop: Do you know when to refrain from actions that are not conducive to your practice? Knowing when to stop is a vital skill. If you know you should not look at something, you stop looking. If you know you should not do something, you stop doing it.
Keeping the is the fundamental heart and action of your practice. It is the essential method to protect yourself from creating negative karma and suffering the bitter fruits that follow.
Transcending the
To succeed in your practice, you must be able to diminish and eventually eradicate the : Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. Regarding the Five Desires—wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—you must be decisive:
Wealth, lust, and fame:
These should be cut off whenever they arise.Food and sleep: These should be taken in moderate amounts and at appropriate times, solely to nourish . Do not be greedy for food or overly attached to sleep.
If you can live in this way, you are truly diligent in changing your ways and achieving success in your practice.
The Fruit of Purification
When your internal space is opened, you will be able to receive the messages of all beings and communicate directly with the Buddha. This is the result of a pure spirit and successful Body-Mind-Spirit purification. Continue to purify yourself, continue to cultivate Goodness, and you will eventually reach the state of an awakened being. This is the true meaning of success in diligent practice.
