Whether the state of our practice remains hidden or becomes manifest is a profound test of a practitioner's wisdom. In this defiled and evil world of suffering, the hearts of people are often deeply stained by worldly attachments. We all yearn for the light of purity and goodness to manifest, and for the darkness of impurity and evil to be removed from our lives.
The Radiance of Purity
Purity and goodness are not abstract concepts; they reveal themselves through the tangible actions and states of a dedicated practitioner. When we walk the path of the Buddha, these virtues manifest in the following ways:
Diligent Practice: Through consistent and sincere practice, one becomes an awakened being who is capable of saving infinite beings.
: By striving to rescue all beings from suffering and bestowing upon them true happiness, one acts without seeking any reward or recognition.
The Three Learnings: Through the practice of (Discipline), Concentration and Wisdom, one maintains a stable mind and allows true wisdom to shine forth.
The Six Perfections: By embodying Generosity (Giving), Discipline (Precepts), Patience (Endurance), diligent practice, Meditation (Concentration), and Wisdom (Prajna), one aligns with the path of the Bodhisattvas.
Buddha-Recitation: Through the constant chanting of , one achieves , eventually revealing the inherent Buddha-nature within.
The Shadows of Unwholesome
Conversely, impurity and evil also manifest in our lives, often without our conscious awareness. They arise from the unwholesome actions of our Body, Speech, and Mind. Because we are often unaware of the negative causes we create, we inevitably suffer the consequences. If we do not experience these sufferings in this lifetime, they will surely manifest in the future, for as the saying goes: "Even after a hundred or a thousand kalpas, the karma one has created does not disappear. When the Causal Conditions meet, one must bear the fruits of those actions oneself."
Therefore, you must use the Ten Good Deeds and the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo to purify your Body, Speech, and Mind. Do not continue to plant negative causes, for if you do, evil will manifest, and you will once again be trapped in the cycle of suffering.
The Shackles of
Impurity and evil also manifest through excessive speech, constant overthinking, and the persistent presence of the ego and selfishness. Throughout our lives, we grow up clinging to a sense of "self." We spend our entire existence—from birth, aging, sickness, death—living within the confines of self-protection, prioritising our own interests and the interests of our immediate family.
To wash away this impurity, you must embrace the path of silence, the practice of speaking less, and the cultivation of a , selfless heart. When you are constantly caught up in over-analysing, planning, evaluating, and improving for the sake of your own ego, you are allowing impurity to manifest.
The of the Original Nature
When your every thought and intention is not aligned with the Truth, you may find yourself in sync with your . This can attract other beings and demon crowds, leading to spiritual attachment. This weight makes your Body-Mind-Spirit feel heavy, and from this state, aging, sickness, and death manifest more intensely, adding further layers of impurity and evil to your life.
You must use your practice to purify yourself. When you do, your Six Roots will be purified, and your six fundamental abilities can manifest. In a state of no-self and selflessness, purity and goodness will naturally arise. You will find that when you encounter difficulties, you will have the wisdom to resolve them, and when you face challenging situations, you will have the clarity to act correctly.
Impurity and evil are often deeply rooted in our personality traits and habits. If you can change your personality traits and reach the state of no-self, you are making genuine progress in your practice. This is the moment when purity truly begins to manifest.
