The Twenty-Third Letter of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Do Not Cling to Bodily Sensations
Interview with Yangling Dorje (Former Chairman of the CPPCC of the Tibet Autonomous Region)
Interview with Zhao Ning (Co-founder of WuXi AppTec)
No Longer Distinguishing Right from Wrong
Interview with Li Yining (The Theoretical Founder of China's Shareholding System Reform)
This message was recorded on July 8, 2017. Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this twenty-third letter, he addresses the fundamental nature of the Buddha’s teachings and the dangers of discrimination.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
". I am Sheng Yen. Looking through the many letters exchanged, I have yet to see a truly authentic response. Everyone certainly has their own opinions and ideas. If the doubts and questions you harbour are directed toward the authenticity of the Buddha’s teachings, that is truly terrifying. It is your intense sense of discrimination that is at work, and you must discard it immediately. Otherwise, achieving success in this lifetime will be extremely difficult. If you cannot let go of these biases, you will find it nearly impossible to encounter the Truth, and you will struggle to genuinely believe in anything at all. Your level of faith will remain trapped within the confines of your own ego.
The Buddha’s teachings and the nature of Mara are two sides of the same coin. If every person looks closely at themselves, they will find both the capacity for supreme Goodness and the potential for extreme evil. Whenever a single thought is not aligned with the Truth, that is the very moment of transformation. Therefore, every person can be a Buddha, and every person can be a demon. There is no need to question this; you are both a demon and a Buddha. However, the one undeniable Truth is this: whatever teaches people to be good, to be kind, and to be upright should be respected and upheld, not slandered or destroyed.
If your sense of discrimination is based solely on the person delivering the message, you are the one who will suffer a loss. The famous figures and eminent monks you admire may not have actually broken through to a higher state of realisation. You must rely on the , not on the person. Rely on the definitive, ultimate meaning, not on the incomplete or provisional teachings. Even a young child could be the one to speak the profound Truth. When the Buddha manifests in this world, He is not limited to appearing in any specific person. If you blindly push away the Truth that is right in front of your eyes, I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect deeply. Is what is being presented not authentic? Is it not the Truth?
As for how you define the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in your own heart, I can only say so much. How you adjust your perspective, how you choose to believe—or not believe—is a decision that rests entirely in your own hands. You must use the yardstick of Truth to measure things carefully. Ultimately, it all depends on your own unique Dharma affinity. I truly hope that everyone can realise their true nature. To the children of Dharma Drum Mountain, before you can realise your true nature, you must first recognise the Truth. The monastics who lead you must be absolutely clear about this principle. You must understand what the Truth actually is so that your practice can be clear, transparent, and purposeful."
This message was recorded by the chief writer, the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi.
A candid reflection from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen on his life, his journey through the afterlife, and his urgent plea for his followers to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen reflects on his life, the weight of his karmic debts, and his profound gratitude for the opportunity to deliver sentient beings through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen reflects on his past life, the weight of his karmic debts, and his profound gratitude for the deliverance offered at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
Master Sheng Yen reflects on his past teachings, the limitations of self-power practice in the Dharma-Ending Age, and the urgent necessity of the Pure Land Dharma Gate for true liberation from the six realms of rebirth.
A candid reflection from the spirit of Elizabeth Taylor, who shares her journey from the blinding lights of Hollywood to the serene, transformative teachings of the Buddha in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Michael Jackson shares his journey from the pressures of global fame to the peace of the Western Pure Land, revealing the truth behind his life and his ultimate deliverance.
Helen Keller, the renowned deaf-blind philanthropist, shares her journey from the darkness of the ghost realm to the light of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, guided by the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.
Albert Einstein, once considered the most brilliant mind in human history, reflects on his life, the nature of 'science' versus the Truth of the Dharma, and his existence in the Western Pure Land.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, reflects on his life, his political career, and his profound journey from the depths of hell to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the compassion of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.
This is a record of an interview with Kim Il Sung, the founder and former leader of North Korea, who sought deliverance 32 years ago. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library