If you have spent a lifetime, perhaps even several decades, engaged in spiritual practice yet have failed to achieve spiritual success, you must pause and ask yourself: what is the true purpose of your practice? If you are merely seeking someone to rely upon while remaining unwilling to make genuine changes within yourself, your practice will inevitably devolve into a mere facade. It is not authentic, and it easily leads you into the trap of superstition. When you follow blindly, you lose the ability to rediscover your original nature. You become a follower of a label rather than a seeker of the Truth, failing to understand how to truly escape the delusions of this world. This is the greatest tragedy, for even if you practise for a long time, you will remain unable to awaken. You will continue to suffer in this world and, at times, continue to create . This is a point that every practitioner must observe with the utmost importance.
The of the Heart
If you were not seeking something for yourself, it is unlikely that you would have chosen to embark on this path of practice. Many people begin their journey in search of the Truth or the meaning of life. It is rare for someone to start with the sole intention of saving beings. However, as you progress through your practice, you will begin to feel the suffering of others in your heart. It is through this genuine feeling that your vow will naturally shift toward the goal of saving beings. It is difficult for a human being to be selfless from the very beginning, but through diligent study and practice, you can learn to transcend selfishness. You can cultivate a vast mind-capacity, engage in Generosity (Giving), and dedicate yourself to saving beings. This depends entirely on whether you are willing to embrace . You must be willing to let go of the illusory attachments and worldly relationships that were never truly yours, and instead, reclaim your true self / self-nature and achieve awakened being.
Transcending the Cycle of Reincarnation
People in this world are lost in the cycle of being reincarnated. You have become a worldly person, playing a role that does not truly belong to your original nature. Because of your fantasies, you have fallen into this cycle, trapped in worldly roles and entangled in endless relationships. If you cannot see this clearly, you will remain hidden within these illusions forever, unable to find your true self. You may mistakenly believe that these roles are real, when in fact, they are merely products of your imagination. You should ask yourself: when will you finally walk out of these karmic relationships?
The Purity of a Sincere Mind
Worldly people are lost, living entirely within the space of their own roles. Even when they choose to practise, few do so without an underlying motive related to their own physical bodies. Some may turn to practice because of emotion distress, perceived injustices in the world, or a sense of despair in life. However, if you carry these motivations, your heart remains worldly. Your practice is driven by a purpose rather than a sincere heart. When you bury such attachments within, you cannot maintain a pure and free state of mind. If you are unable to let go and relinquish these burdens, you will find it impossible to practise according to the . Practice requires a pure and free heart. You must understand the importance of having a mind without attachments. If your heart is still filled with worldly dust, your practice will not bear fruit. It will be in vain, and you will end up wasting your entire life.
The Brilliance of True Quality
True practice comes from a free and easy heart. It means being content with the conditions of life, having no further demands from the world, and viewing all social changes with a calm and pure mind. You should remain unmoved by the dynamics of the world, whether they are good or bad. In your heart, you must know the importance of genuine practice and avoid the false appearances that many adopt. If these false forms influence those who have not yet learned the Dharma or interfere with those who are truly practising, the karmic consequences are difficult to repay. You must be cautious in your conduct. Beyond knowing what to do, you must also understand whether your initial character is correct. If your practice lacks sincerity, you are merely playing a part, unable to grasp the true meaning of the Dharma. Practice is about finding your true self; it is not about performing for the sake of an image. All truth comes from the heart. If your heart is not true, your practice is false. It cannot manifest the essence of true practice, and it is not grounded in the Truth.
The Unyielding Nature of the Jade
Your practice should be genuine, much like a piece of precious jade. If its essence is pure, it will remain in its best state even after enduring various scratches or injuries. It will not be worn down; that is the mark of the highest quality. Like true jade, after enduring the hardships of the wind, frost, and the passage of time, its essence becomes even more brilliant. The process of enduring these challenges strengthens its texture. When the outer layer of stone is polished away, the inner beauty reveals a stunning, translucent radiance. This is the essence of practice. You are cultivating your true quality, not the illusory brilliance of the surface. What is truly captivating is that pure, translucent light. You should strive to cultivate such a heart. All the hardships you face are merely tests for your heart of practice. Every trial is there to help you grow. Do not sacrifice your wisdom-life for the sake of illusions. You must be clear about how to grasp the reality of your practice. In every moment, see the facts clearly: are you in the realm of Truth, or are you lost in delusion? You must possess awareness, knowing how to immediately depart from illusions so that they do not pull you back into the worldly realm. Know that everything in this world is impermanent. Only the Truth, the one true realm, is the only way to resolve the cycle of being reincarnated. Turn toward the light, and do not remain in the darkness. Practice is not for any worldly purpose; it is the direction you must take. It is a rare opportunity in this life that you must cherish. If you miss it, you will continue to suffer, and no one can help you. The connections of this life are both real and unreal. You must see your own birth, aging, sickness, death within them, and bring them to a conclusion. Achieve self-mastery and realise your true self / self-nature. This is the true meaning of practice. Do not continue to suffer through birth, aging, sickness, death. I encourage you all to strive and seek the Truth.
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Ma Ming
The interview message was recorded by the Buddhist practitioner Shi Faxi.
