The Call to Genuine Practice: A Letter from Venerable Master Sheng Yen

This message was recorded on July 19, 2017, as a spiritual transmission from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen. In this letter, the Master addresses the fundamental requirements for true practice, emphasizing the necessity of internal purification and the cultivation of a boundless mind-capacity to achieve the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"The importance of mind-capacity cannot be overstated, for it is the very essence of compassion and the foundation of Bodhi. It is the root of all practice and the ultimate goal of the path. One must never overlook the significance of mind-capacity; everything must be expansive. Only when the mind is vast and boundless can true achievement be possible, and only then is there hope for one to become a Buddha.

Beyond Superficial Labels

True practice is absolutely not defined by a certificate of refuge, a period of quiet meditation, or the belief that one has given their all. These are not genuine practice. If you rely on these, the problems within you remain deep and heavy; you have not changed anything at all. You are merely deceiving yourself by claiming, 'I am a practitioner,' 'I am studying the Buddha’s teachings,' or 'I am a vegetarian.' Because of such empty words, society’s perception of the Buddha’s teachings and the nature of practice has been distorted. Your own flaws and issues are visible to others, and everyone carries a measuring stick in their heart. Often, they do not use it to measure themselves, but instead use it to judge others, demanding perfection from them while failing to perfect themselves. This is common in the world, but there is no need to blame others for it. They are just like you—they have not yet changed. If you see their problems, you surely possess the same ones; otherwise, you would not be in sync with them.

Practice is not some extraordinary or complex behavior. It is very simple: it is the act of changing your conduct and correcting your habits. This is something everyone should be able to do. If you have already begun to change, you are a student of the Buddha, a practitioner. I wonder how many people are actually doing this? It seems very few. So, has your practice truly been effective? Or are you still standing in the same place? Before you speak of practice, please first reflect on your own conduct and ask your own heart: do you truly want to practice?

The Internal Work of Purification

The practice of the heart is one of purification, repenting, changing your ways, and moving toward Goodness. It is about total self-correction, not about pointing fingers at others. We are never qualified to judge others because we ourselves have too much that needs correcting. This is what true practice looks like. If your heart is still filled with imbalance—including jealousy when you see others doing better than you—you cannot appear in the bodhimanda, because you will create karma. The fire of jealousy in your heart will burn down your forest of merit. This is a heart of virulent poison; you will be the first to poison your own wisdom-life. This is a fact that everyone should acknowledge.

The Buddha’s teachings should be built upon the foundation of fellow practitioners advancing together. If you are well and I am well, then everyone is well; there is no discrimination at all. I am telling you all of this today because education is what Dharma Drum Mountain is most famous for. I know the character of my own children very well. I do not point out the problems of external Buddhist groups; I only demand that my children must change. No matter what, you must not let any unwholesome thoughts grow in your heart. You cannot be someone who is not a student of the Buddha; you must study the Buddha’s teachings. This statement carries the deep expectations of your Teacher. I hope you can understand this. If you can achieve this, it will be an achievement for all of humanity, because you will be able to lead others.

The Path to Ultimate Reunion

What does it mean to study the Buddha? I believe the Truth will reveal it to everyone. It is about the mind-capacity and the cultivation of the heart. To practice, you must rely on yourself. Only when you have nothing, compare yourself to no one, and maintain an unmoved mind, will your practice reach fruition. Everyone, please think about this carefully: have you truly begun to practice?

Your Teacher’s exhortations are born only from the hope that you can achieve success and help propagate the True Teachings. The one who tells you these principles is a good Teacher; you should be grateful to them, not slander them or harbor resentment. You must be grateful. In this world, there is no good or bad; there is only the practice of gratitude. I believe these principles are now even more important and far-reaching than the concept of 'spiritual environmental protection' that I spoke of while I was in the world. Everyone, please practice diligently. This path is vital; you must walk it to the very end. We will surely meet again in the Western Land."

Written by Sheng Yen

This interview message was recorded by the chief writer, disciple Shi Faxi.

Namo Amituofo.