The Light Within the Dust

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where she currently resides. This conversation was recorded on April 16, 2019.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. We all originate from the dust of this world, and for so long, we have been stained by it, mistaking these stains for our true reality. Yet, no matter how deeply we tumble through the dust, there remains an indestructible, eternal light within us. This light has followed us through the cycle of rebirth, never once extinguished. It is only covered by layers of worldly debris, which causes the light to shine through differently each time—sometimes it is faint, sometimes the halo is small, and at other times, it is vast. This is the light of our true self, the most pure and good aspect of our heart.

The Eternal Light Beneath the Worldly Dust

When we arrive at the temple to learn the Dharma and engage in practice, regardless of how many years we have spent in the dust of the world, or how old we are now, the most important thing is to start anew. This is a new life, reborn by following the Buddha. We must be willing to let go of our past habits, our long-held ideas, and the way we have viewed others for so long. Any habit that triggers our thoughts and intentions must be consciously set aside. To let go is to purify oneself.

When a thought arises, or when you look at someone else, ask yourself: 'What is my purpose for being here?' Are you here to manage others, to get angry, or to serve as a volunteer? Since you have the precious opportunity to serve others, you should set aside your own personality and opinions. Friction with others is merely a part of the practice; it is a sign that your own personality is not yet soft enough. You should be more inclusive, for on the path to Bodhi, we are all partners helping one another achieve success.

The Mirror of Interpersonal Relations

Within the bodhimanda, we should strive for equality, free from the discriminations of high and low. If you can truly integrate yourself into this environment and see the strengths in others, you will find that many obstacles in your practice will simply vanish. In the process of practice, the most detrimental thing is to fixate on the eyes, expressions, and actions of others. Before one has attained meditative concentration, and before one has truly let go of their own physical form, observing others will only stir up your own feelings and reactions. The more you look, the more you disturb your own practice. Furthermore, to view the faults of the world through the lens of the world is merely a form of contamination.

Practice is nothing more than the way we interact with others and the way we construct our own personalities. This physical body is the best tool for practice. Once you understand this, you should feel joyful when you encounter challenging situations, for it reveals where your own nature is not yet gentle. Practitioner Su gives Dharma talks every day, and his most earnest, heartfelt advice is always to change one's personality traits.

The Crucial Task of Changing One's Personality

All phenomena arise from the heart, and all appearances are created by the heart. To practice, one must sincerely understand oneself and see through oneself. Any attempt to hide or any small excuse will become a fatal wound to your progress. As long as you are genuinely working for the benefit of all beings, your heart can remain fundamentally cool and clear. The path of practice is easy to walk if you are willing to walk it, and practice is easy to cultivate if you are willing to cultivate it.

Namo Amituofo is the supreme, wondrous teaching. Once you have attained purity, you will naturally realise it. Namo Amituofo."