The Illusion of Seniority in Monastic Life

This is a record of the twenty-ninth letter from the late Venerable Master Wei Chueh, who now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this poignant message, he reflects upon the true essence of monastic practice and the dangers of mistaking the passage of time for genuine spiritual attainment. This letter was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 15, 2017.

Venerable Master Wei Chueh speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Wei Chueh. The most authentic method of practice is found in cultivating the mind. The most genuine approach to Meditation Concentration is also rooted entirely within the heart. True Meditation Concentration is a state of constant stillness within the heart; even amidst the chaos of activity and the turbulence of the world, one remains in a state of meditative concentration. This is what it truly means to study the Buddha’s gate. Studying the Buddha’s gate is absolutely not about pursuing the depth of external states or merely accumulating years of seniority in the Precepts. This is a very realistic, practical matter, and I am speaking to you now with complete sincerity and truthfulness."

The Trap of Monastic Seniority

"It is incredibly difficult for a practitioner within the Buddha’s gate to reach the ultimate goal in a single lifetime. One might exhaust an entire life and yet fail to truly enter the Buddha’s gate, remaining only at the periphery without even realising it. This happens because one often mistakenly believes that their practice is excellent. The greatest illusion is the count of one's monastic years, or perhaps the number of years one has held the Precepts. Some people focus solely on these numbers—this so-called age of practice—yet beyond these figures, they possess nothing else.

Their inner substance, their actual cultivation, and their character remain at the starting point, or perhaps only slightly beyond it. I believe many of you would agree with this observation. Please, I implore you, do not let your monastic life be reduced to the mere illusion of seniority. You must engage in authentic cultivation. Only when your practice is real can your achievement be truly possible."

A Reflection on My Own Path

"When I was alive in the world, I understood these principles. However, as the years slipped by, I seemed to lose that understanding. The pure, quiet retreats I once maintained seemed to vanish. Consequently, from the very moment I strayed into error, I embarked upon a path of illness, which was also my destined karmic retribution. I lost the original self I once knew.

There is a profound and vast meaning behind this experience. If you can truly grasp what I am saying, you can realise your true nature. As long as you do not follow the same path I did, you will be able to follow the sequence of practice taught by Shakyamuni Buddha."

The Essence of Constant Stillness

"True Meditation Concentration is a state where the heart is forever still, regardless of whether you have formally entered samadhi. You are always in a state of stillness, never drifting with the external environment, and never allowing every thought and intention to be stirred by the Five Desires or the Six Dusts. This is the true meaning of Meditation Concentration.

The number of followers at Chung Tai is vast; we should be teaching everyone these truths, and we ourselves must be the first to embody them. Otherwise, not only do we fail the public, but we also lose the very opportunity for true practice."

A Call to Awakening

"My Buddha is compassionate, allowing me, Wei Chueh, the opportunity to speak of these things today. Practising Zen was my life's work, yet I lacked true attainment. If you are still allowing every thought and intention to arise, it indicates that you are still very worldly and that you have not yet achieved true attainment. You must master this stillness of the heart. If you do not, you may spend your entire life in practice, only to find that all you have left is your monastic seniority or the simple passage of your years. It is a great pity. I hope everyone will reflect deeply upon this matter.

Venerable Jiandeng, I hope you can truly see the old master. At the very least, I hope you can deeply contemplate each of these letters, and then walk your path with diligence. Do not let down the faith that everyone has placed in you, nor the faith they have in Chung Tai. You must lead everyone toward the ultimate goal—that is the other shore, and that is the only reality. Everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. To lead everyone to a state beyond the laws of karma and cause and effect—that is the Great Dharma. Namo Amituofo."

Written by the hand of Wei Chueh.