The Path of Diligent Practice

The Sacred Path of Unwavering Devotion

The essence of the Buddha's teachings must be sought with profound respect. However, it also requires diligent and unremitting practice to polish a sincere heart and break through the barriers of ego-attachment and self-view. Regardless of your age or seniority, learning is a journey without end. If you truly wish to achieve success on the Buddha's path, you must adopt diligent practice as an indispensable attitude and a way of life.

There are no shortcuts on the path to seeking the Dharma. You must walk firmly, one step at a time, with unwavering persistence. Without such perseverance, it is difficult to achieve the purification of the mind and reach Awakening. Purification and Awakening require a price; there is no such thing as gaining something for nothing in the study of Buddhism. Even the compassion and wisdom that manifest after purification are the results of your past efforts in practice, combined with the purification you undergo in this lifetime. Diligent practice is the key to Awakening. Once you have attained Awakening, you can fully utilise your potential to save yourself and save others, ultimately ensuring your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the true purpose of your diligent practice.

The Rhythm of Diligence in Daily Life

Diligent practice is not limited to the times when you are reciting the Sutras, performing prostrations, chanting the Buddha-name, or studying the teachings. It must be present in every moment of your life:

• Harmony in the Community: When you are with the fourfold assembly, strive for harmony and avoid conflict. Even when opinions differ, take a step back, and you will find that the sky is vast and open.
• Service to Others: When performing tasks for the temple, do so without complaint. If others are unwilling to do a task, you should take it upon yourself; this is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate merit.
• Consistency in Daily Practice: Never allow your daily practice to be interrupted.
• Obedience to Teachers: When you receive instructions from your teachers, do not violate them. Do not hold onto your own personal opinions; simply follow the instructions and carry them out directly.

Before you have reached Awakening, your personal opinions are often merely the manifestation of your karma, habits, and ego. You must not cling to them. When others offer you reminders, do not view them as people trying to find fault with you. Instead, understand that they are helping you avoid making mistakes and creating negative karma. You should be grateful and express your thanks to them.

Polishing the Mirror of the Mind

You must be diligent in changing your personality traits and habits. You must not be selfish. Once your selfish habits manifest, you should face them with compassion and a sense of shame, and stop them immediately to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Be diligent in every movement you make. When you are listening to the Sutras or performing your daily practice, be focused and single-minded. Do not allow yourself to become drowsy or distracted. If you feel drowsy or your mind begins to wander, you must immediately raise your awareness and choose a method to improve your state. It is especially important to be diligent during your daily practice, which for the Pure Land path, consists mainly of reciting the Sutras, performing prostrations, and chanting the Buddha-name.

• Diligence in Reciting the Sutras: Do not become drowsy. Keep your eyes focused on the characters, following them as you read. Keep your heart free from other thoughts. As your mouth recites the Sutra, ensure that every word and every sentence is clear and understood. Do not try to analyse or interpret the meaning of the words; if you do not intentionally try to enter a state of purity, the state will naturally manifest.
• Diligence in Prostrations: Do not become drowsy or lost in thought. Keep your mind free from messy thoughts and listen only to the Buddha-name, ignoring all other sounds. As your body bows to the Buddhas, understand that you are actually bowing to the Buddha-nature within you. The more respect you show, the more you help your true nature to be revealed.
• Diligence in Chanting the Buddha-name: For beginners, it is helpful to hold prayer beads while chanting. You must remember not to let your mind wander. Keep your heart focused on the beads, with no other thoughts. There should be only one thought: "Namo Amituofo." Chant it directly and continuously. Chant until you reach the state where you are chanting without chanting, and not chanting while chanting. Chant until, whether you are speaking or moving, the Buddha-name in your heart continues without interruption, until you reach the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi and your meditative concentration is achieved.

The Eternal Flame of Persistent Vows

How can you maintain a heart of diligent practice? Practitioner Su has often reminded and taught us these points, which I have summarised for you:

• Firm Wisdom, Compassion, and Vows: A truly wise person with a compassionate heart vows to save all beings from suffering. They will not be swayed by short-term benefits or the various emotional entanglements of the world. They move forward directly and diligently.
• Great Responsibility, Boldness, and Perseverance: By letting go of the "self," one can save infinite beings. You must have the courage to say, "If I do not take on this responsibility, who will?" Remember the great masters and Practitioner Su, who, in order to achieve the path of saving the world and all beings, have all put in immense effort, sacrificing their homes, their bodies, and their lives. They dedicate their body, mind, and spirit to the world until the very end, living with diligent practice and never daring to slacken. Only then can they achieve the Dharma affinity to save beings and help them reach rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
• Living in the Present: Do not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Do not waste a single minute or second, for you must avoid letting the opportunity for Awakening slip away in those fleeting moments. Every present moment is a golden opportunity for Awakening, so be diligent and do not slacken.
• Knowing the Suffering of Beings: When you truly understand the suffering of beings, you will naturally become weary of this world. You must let go of the "self"—your feelings, your body, your ego-attachment, your views, and your possessions. By entering the state of no-self, with no heart, no thoughts, and no selfishness, you can attain true knowledge and skills. Only then can you withstand various tests and trials, and achieve the Dharma Body of Awakening.
• Choosing Methods When Drowsy or Tired: Because you know the need for diligent practice, when you feel drowsy, you must immediately raise your awareness. Stand up, kneel, perform prostrations, drink water, splash your face, or switch to another task. Do not let the drowsiness continue, as it wastes your precious time for learning the Dharma.
• Seeing Through and Letting Go: Understand that the world is illusory and unreal. Do not be deceived by false appearances. You may have the right to use the things of this world, including your property, family, and relatives, but do not claim ownership. You can use them, but do not let them occupy your thoughts and intentions, as this will harm your Right Mindfulness, Right Life, and Right Thinking. If you truly understand the truth of this reality, you will be diligent and never dare to slacken.
• True Cultivation: Truly understand that the human body is precious, the Buddha's teachings are difficult to hear, and the Pure Land is difficult to encounter. It is even more magnificent to have Namo Amituofo present and to receive the teachings of an awakened guide like Practitioner Su. This is an opportunity difficult to encounter in millions of years, so you must be diligent and not waste a single second.

I have offered these points as reminders. I hope that all of you will be diligent and unremitting at all times, so that you may soon reach Awakening, achieve the Dharma Body, save all confused beings, and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.