asks us: Are you truly practising? When you engage in the path, can you truly achieve the state of purity? This purity is not something that can be forced or manufactured through mere effort. Instead, it is the result of a steady, persistent journey—one step at a time—where you diligently practise to remove the stains of defilement from your heart.
These stains are, in essence, your . Everything that manifests from the power of karma is a form of defilement. You must realise that the environments you perceive, the situations you encounter, and the world you inhabit are all illusory. They are like floating clouds and a light breeze—transient, shifting, and ultimately empty. These illusory states arise only because of Causal Conditions; when those conditions dissipate, the illusions vanish along with them.
Transcending the Illusory World
If you truly understand and deeply perceive this truth, you will naturally distance yourself from these illusions. You will no longer allow your heart to become attached to them. This is the beginning of Wisdom (Prajna). Once you are no longer bound by the illusions of the world, you can truly begin to perform the work of saving beings and helping them leave suffering behind to find happiness.
Because most beings are still asleep, lost within the dream of this illusory world, they suffer needlessly. Therefore, those who wish to save them must be willing to let go of their own comfort. They must enter into the illusion, standing alongside these beings, to teach them how to leave the dream behind and find the true self. This, and only this, is what we call true practice.
Aligning with the Universal Principle
To be truly free, you must not be deceived by the false and illusory states that surround you. By walking the path of the true self, you are effectively returning to your original nature. As a practitioner, your heart, your intentions, and your actions must be in perfect harmony with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This alignment is the only way to reach .
Those who have realised their true nature are the very ones who live by the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. When your heart and your vows are perfectly aligned with these three pillars, your practice becomes authentic. It is no longer a superficial effort, but a profound transformation of your entire being.
The Spirit of Fierce Diligence
Fierce diligence is the inner attitude and the spiritual backbone of your practice. It is not merely a concept; it is a force that manifests in your outward behaviour. When you are truly diligent, you will find that your personality begins to change, and your heart and actions become more refined. Without this level of commitment, it is exceedingly difficult to reach Awakening.
Those who have reached Awakening understand the profound suffering of all beings. Because they wish for these beings to be liberated from their pain as soon as possible, they dare not be lazy or slothful. They are constantly cautious in their speech and their actions, fearing that a single moment of carelessness might lead them to create a negative cause. They know that creating such causes leads to evil consequences, which not only causes them to suffer but also delays their own Awakening, thereby prolonging the suffering of both themselves and all other beings.
The Union of and Wisdom
This state of mind—this way of living—is the perfect union of compassion and Wisdom (Prajna). This is the definition of true practice. If your vows have not yet been ignited, if you cannot yet place your full faith in the path, or if your practice is still clouded by doubt, then you are not yet engaged in true practice. Any lingering attachment, no matter how small, acts as a barrier to Awakening. You must remember these teachings well, for only through true practice can you reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
