The Mask of Hypocrisy and the Path to Truth

This is a record of the eighteenth letter from Venerable Master Wei Jue, who sought deliverance through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This message, recorded on July 4, 2017, serves as a profound teaching on the nature of Truth, the dangers of hypocrisy in spiritual practice, and the urgency of utilizing the human body for liberation.

Venerable Master Wei Jue speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Venerable Master Wei Jue. In this eighteenth letter, I wish to address the pervasive culture of masks that has overtaken the world. How many times in a single lifetime can you truly encounter the Truth? It is rare to find someone who dares to speak the truth, and even rarer to find someone who is willing to hear it. In today's society, most people live their lives wearing masks. These masks are self-imposed, donned as a defence mechanism to survive the challenges of the external environment. But how many people truly dare to reveal what lies beneath those masks to the public? The false image we project leaves us feeling hollow and uneasy. In our interactions with others, we lose the capacity for genuine communication because we all maintain a defensive line, protecting our fragile sense of self. We are all terrified of being hurt. I am speaking the truth, am I not?"

The Mask of Social Survival

"It is time to step out of this cycle. Stop deceiving yourselves and others. There is absolutely no need to continue this charade. You must learn to lower your defences and live authentically; only then can you find true ease. The Buddha’s teachings are the finest psychological doctor one could ever hope to find. When you disguise yourself, engaging in mutual flattery and only listening to pleasant words, you will never progress. If you surround yourself with friends who only speak words of praise, can you be certain that every single word they utter is sincere? If they are merely trying to please you, that might be acceptable on rare occasions, but if this becomes the norm, it is akin to standing by and watching a disaster unfold. Whether something is right or wrong becomes irrelevant, and that is a truly terrifying state of affairs."

The Danger of Empty Flattery

"As practitioners, we must possess the insight to see through this. It is one thing to lack faith in the Buddha’s teachings, but if you have already chosen the path of practice—whether you are a monastic or a lay practitioner—you have a responsibility. If you are a leader, a mentor, a teacher, or a Venerable, you are, in essence, an educator. If you see that things are going wrong, you must assist in adjusting the course, not allow the situation to deteriorate further. Of course, you must also hold yourself to this standard. You must not simply pander to others to consolidate your own status or keep them blinded by the comfort of a false reality. You might gain a reputation for being well-liked, but you must weigh this against the consequences. Are you prepared to bear the laws of karma and cause and effect for this? You cannot simply ignore it and pretend it has nothing to do with you."

The Responsibility of a Teacher

"In your role, you have a duty to save beings. You cannot stand by as a bystander. Your primary responsibility is to propagate the Buddha’s teachings and save beings. You must let go of your ego. Even your own personality and habits must be discarded. If you do not, the price you will pay is one you certainly cannot bear. The most obvious sign of this failure is that you will age day by day, yet because everyone is accustomed to the masks you all wear, there is no sincerity between you. No one will dare to tell you the truth—that you are growing old. If you want to practise, you must practise truly. You must return to your original nature. This is the only form of practice that is real, not fake."

The Urgency of True Practice

"People who dare to speak the truth are already far too few. And when the words spoken are indeed the Truth—not merely subjective attachments or personal opinions—that alone is enough to give you plenty to reflect upon. Practice cannot be driven by emotion; you must walk the path steadily and authentically. You cannot bring your family or companions along with you on this journey. Even after leaving the home life, though you have no home, you must not remain attached to any person or any thing. Only then can you find true coolness and liberation. I do not care whether everyone agrees with what I have said today; this is what I know to be true, and it is of the utmost importance. I hope that everyone will take these words to heart. Obtaining a human body is truly not easy. As long as you have not yet escaped the six realms of existence, the human world is the only place where you can practise. Your human body is your only tool. Your emotional fluctuations and your personality are your greatest obstacles. I hope you will all reflect deeply. If you miss this opportunity, will you ever be able to encounter another Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre again? Namo Amituofo."