The Essential Nature of Spiritual Practice: An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Reflections on the Path to Liberation
Recorded at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who shares profound insights on the necessity of spiritual practice in the modern age. This interview was conducted at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. It was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 12, 2022.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Yongning. You ask if spiritual practice is necessary? It is a question that resonates deeply in this era, and it is one that we must address with complete honesty.
The Modern Disconnect
Many young people today find it increasingly difficult to grasp why one would dedicate their life to practice. We live in an age of instant gratification, where high technology and endless information are at our fingertips. Everything is so convenient, so accessible. Why bother with the rigours of the when the world offers such immediate comfort? It is a challenge to see the value of the unseen when the seen is so alluring.
A Reflection on Our Own Failings
When I am asked this, I first feel a profound sense of shame. Why? Because we, as practitioners, have failed to set a clear, compelling example. If we lived the Dharma with true clarity and , others would naturally see the necessity of it. Instead, our lack of genuine attainment has left many confused about the very purpose of our path. It is a heavy burden to carry, knowing that our own lack of diligence has contributed to this misunderstanding.
Intellect vs. True Attainment
If practice is merely about filling the brain with more knowledge—learning subjects outside our previous fields of study—then it is a tragic waste. One might appear highly educated, even professional, but does this knowledge truly serve the spirit? When the time comes to close our eyes for the final time, we will know the truth. But as it stands, it seems many are still unable to escape the cycle of being reincarnated. We must ask ourselves: are we truly practising, or are we just collecting more intellectual baggage?
The Path to True Liberation
Spiritual practice is not about keeping this physical body lost in the illusions of the world. It is about helping it wake up, purifying the mind, and allowing the spirit to find liberation. If one cannot understand the depth of suffering inherent in the cycle of being reincarnated, it is impossible to fully grasp the meaning of practice. We are buried under a mountain of complex thoughts and overwhelming information. This noise covers our , preventing from feeling the inner spirit, and thus, we remain blind to the agony of a spirit that cannot find its way home.
A Life Beyond the Cycle
No matter how much enjoyment the world offers, no matter how magnificent a life we may lead, we cannot escape the reality of death. If young people could cultivate true foresight—if they could stop being mesmerised by the immediate present and look clearly at the cycle of birth and death—they would see that life can have a different value. It is possible to live a life that is truly extraordinary, one that leaps over the boundaries of life and death and breaks free from the cycle of being reincarnated. It is a life of true brilliance, far removed from the mundane struggles of the world.
Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library