The Path of Diligence

The Worldly Pursuit versus Spiritual Awareness

People in this world work diligently for their lives, striving to sustain their physical existence in the belief that material success is the ultimate goal. Yet, they often overlook a crucial dimension: the awareness of their own spirits. Many children of the Buddha are lost in the delusion of material existence, unable to perceive the subtle, hidden aspects of their spirits. When one cannot perceive this, the heart remains restless and unstable, unable to find true peace. Without this spiritual awareness, the mind is like a boat without an anchor, drifting aimlessly upon the waves of the world.

The Barriers of the Self

Why is it so difficult for a practitioner to reach the state of an awakened being? Often, it is because we are too focused on the self. We are trapped in the cycle of our own personalities, fleeting emotions, and deeply ingrained habits. We are constantly preoccupied with every thought and intention that arises from the ego. Because we are so entangled in these personal concerns, we remain at a distance from our true self. We cannot see our true nature because we are looking through the lens of our own attachments. To overcome this, one must recognise the obstacles that keep us from the truth:

• Personality:
• The rigid structures of our character that prevent us from being flexible and open to the Dharma.Emotion:
• The turbulent waves of feeling that cloud our judgement and disturb our inner peace.Habits: The repetitive, unconscious patterns of behaviour that keep us bound to the cycle of rebirth.

Cultivating Inner Diligence

You must be diligent in finding your way back to your true self. You must discover the spirit within your true nature. This sensitive, luminous true self requires persistent and sincere effort to uncover. True diligence is not found in external displays or busy activities; it is found in the quiet, consistent work of internal cultivation. You must refine your hearts and actions, stabilising your own heart through the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo. Do not let your efforts be limited to the world of form. Turn your focus inward. Purify your intent, settle your heart, and walk in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. By doing so, you will find that the distance between yourself and your true nature begins to vanish, replaced by the clarity of the Dharma.

Namo Amituofo.

This discourse was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi, who serves as the chief writer.