Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers us a profound teaching on the nature of silence. Silence is not merely the absence of sound; it is a serene and powerful force. In this modern world, where so many people live their lives amidst constant noise and distraction, this quality of true stillness is often missing. Silence can refer to the quietness of our external environment, or it can refer to the discipline of our own speech—the choice to refrain from unnecessary words.
You should strive to cultivate this silence at all times. It is a practice that begins with your physical presence and extends to your interactions with others. By embracing silence, you create a space where the mind can settle and the true nature can be revealed.
Cultivating Mindful Presence
To truly embody this practice, you must be mindful of your daily conduct. Consider these essential aspects of your behaviour:
Move with gentleness: When you walk or move through a space, do so lightly and quietly. If you must pass by others, do so with a soft step and a quiet presence.
Refrain from reactive noise: Do not use loud, abrupt movements or sounds to express your inner frustrations, dissatisfaction, or anger. Such actions only disturb the peace of the environment and your own mind.
Respect the practice of others: When you see others engaged in diligent practice or quiet retreats, do not disturb them with idle chatter. Furthermore, avoid laughing or joking in their presence, as this is a basic form of etiquette for any serious practitioner.
If you are a parent or guardian, you have a responsibility to teach children the value of this silence. Help them understand that they must respect the quietude of others. They should learn that it is selfish to be loud or to speak incessantly in spaces where others are seeking peace.
Sacred Conduct in the Temple
This discipline is especially vital within the Buddha hall. The temple is a place of profound sanctity, and it is a requirement for the fourfold assembly of disciples to maintain silence while participating in group cultivation. When you enter the temple, you are entering a space dedicated to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. To speak unnecessarily in this space is to disregard the sanctity of the environment.
Through the subtle details of your words, your actions, and your physical demeanour, others can clearly see your personal virtue and level of cultivation. Your conduct is a mirror of your heart.
The Responsibility of the Monastic Community
For those who have chosen the path of the monastics, your individual conduct carries even greater weight. Your words and actions do not merely represent you as an individual; they represent the quality and integrity of the entire monastic community. In many ways, your behaviour reflects upon the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre itself. This is no longer just a personal matter of habit; it is a matter of collective responsibility.
Therefore, you must not speak carelessly or act on impulse. You must be vigilant and disciplined in every moment, remembering the gravity of your role as a representative of the Buddha's teachings.
Returning to the Heart
Ultimately, the practice of silence leads us back to the core of our faith. Keep in your heart, chant Namo Amituofo with your lips, and strive to live according to the Buddha-vow in every action. When you understand everything clearly within your own heart, you will no longer seek validation from the outside world; instead, you will look inward.
Know when to stop, know how to be still, and realise that in the deepest sense, silence is indeed louder than sound. Namo Amituofo.
