The Sacred Responsibility of the Monastic
The Twenty-Sixth Letter of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Recorded at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
This is a record of a message from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought to share his reflections on the conduct and responsibilities of monastics at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. This message was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxi, on July 11, 2017.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. To attain a reputation of true worth, one must first perform actions that are good and righteous. This is a fundamental truth that every monastic must deeply understand. Above all, those who have left the home life represent the Buddha’s gate. You must recognise this reality with absolute clarity. If you find that you cannot uphold the dignity of this role, it is better to return to lay life. This is an incredibly serious and sacred commitment; you must never forget that your identity is that of a monastic.
The Weight of the Sacred Robe
How does a monastic live up to the expectations of the public? It is, in truth, an arduous task. It is rare for anyone to achieve perfection, but at the very least, you must be acutely aware of your status as a monastic. You must perform the duties that are required of you, and you must strictly avoid those that are forbidden. This applies not only to your actions but to your thoughts and even your dreams. Specifically, romantic attachments and carnal desires are strictly forbidden—they are a great taboo. Furthermore, your speech must be refined and guided by skillful means. Know what you know, and admit what you do not know. You must exercise clear judgment regarding what can and cannot be said. These are merely the most basic foundations. Your teacher will guide you further, and the Buddha’s teachings will provide the rest. You must follow the teachings with total dedication. The extent to which you succeed depends entirely on your own practice and skills. For every measure of sincerity and respect you offer, you will receive a measure of benefit. This is an immutable law of the universe; there is no room for deception here!
Navigating the Modern World
While there are still many monastics today, the quality of practice has shifted from what it once was. In this era of rapid technological advancement, everyone is sharp and observant. When the public witnesses the conduct of monastics, they often see scandals and hear criticisms circulating. You must be extremely cautious and avoid such pitfalls. Leaving the home life is a sacred and magnificent vow. Please, be careful! Do not allow yourself to become the subject of idle gossip or after-dinner conversation for the world. If you are going to practice, you must practice with absolute authenticity. Otherwise, what a tragic waste of this precious life it would be.
A Direct Flight to the Western Land
To miss such a magnificent Causal Condition is a tragedy. I hope everyone will reflect deeply on this. Is it not time to correct the errors of your path and return to the righteous path? Only by walking the righteous path can you return to the Western Land—a direct flight to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo."
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library