The Lifeblood of Dharma Drum Mountain

This is a record of a message from the spirit of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought to be saved at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his concerns for the future of Dharma Drum Mountain. This message was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Shi Faxi, on June 9, 2017.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. I speak to you from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, looking back at the path I once walked and the institution I left behind. I ask you all to pause and reflect: Have you truly attained the power of practice? How much time in this life do you have left to squander? When the end of your life arrives, do you wish to depart in the agony of illness, or do you wish to depart standing, with the freedom to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?"

The Sound of the Drum and the Absence of the Buddha

"Dharma Drum Mountain. The name rings out across the world, yet I must ask: where is the Buddha? The drum is meant to shake the flow of the Dharma, to awaken the sleeping heart, but if the heart is not aligned with the Buddha, it is merely a mountain of stone and sound. You have built a mountain, but you have not built a home for the Buddha within your own nature.

To study Buddhism is not the same as learning from the Buddha. If you have not realised your true nature, you are not truly learning from the Buddha, nor are you truly practising. It is a tragedy of the highest order to spend a lifetime surrounded by the Dharma, yet remain untouched by its transformative power."

The Hidden Roots of Jealousy

"To the venerable monastics, the students of Dharma Drum, and all the virtuous ones: Namo Amituofo. My Buddha-compassion compels me to speak plainly about the state of Dharma Drum Mountain. The greatest effort of the institution has been directed toward the academic study of Buddhist philosophy, rather than the actual, lived practice of learning from the Buddha. The greatest error, which has taken root deep within, lies in jealousy and the competitive urge to be superior.

This is visible to the outside world, let alone to those of us who have walked this path for years. Whether it is among the monastics, the students, or even the lay practitioners who serve as Dharma protectors, many negative habits remain buried deep within the heart. Can a superficial smile mask the truth revealed in your eyes? The truth of your inner state is always exposed, no matter how well you try to hide it."

The Necessity of Subduing the Ego

"Since ancient times, the Zen tradition has always been about the power of stillness and the power of meditative concentration—the four dhyanas and the eight meditative attainments. If you have not subdued your ego, you are merely harbouring the roots of demonic habits. That 'personality' you cling to is the very thing that prevents your liberation. If you are not actively working to change your personality traits, then all your evil thoughts and erroneous views remain intact.

No matter how high your academic standing, or how many scriptures you have studied, if you have not transformed your heart, you are walking the demon path. There is no need for fear, for the choice is simple: if you are not with the Buddha, you are with the demons. Today, I have said enough. Venerable Shi Faxi has worked hard to record these words. I implore you all to think deeply on these matters.

Have you truly attained the power of practice? How much time in this life do you have left to squander? When the end of your life arrives, do you wish to depart in the agony of illness, or do you wish to depart standing, with the freedom to attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? I wish to convey this message to all at Dharma Drum Mountain. I am here, and I hope those who are willing will come to converse with me. Namo Amituofo."