The Solitude of the Spiritual Path

This interview was recorded on April 19, 2019, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Venerable Yongning, a dedicated monastic who sought deliverance through the teachings of the centre, shares profound insights on the necessity of solitude in one's spiritual journey.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"In the process of spiritual practice, the concept of 'solitude' is of paramount importance. Each spirit is a single, individual spirit, and the laws of karma and cause and effect are entirely one's own. Never has there been a case where one person could truly carry the karmic burden of another. Regarding the cycle of reincarnation, we have always been wandering through it alone. Even though we come into this world and find ourselves entangled in a multitude of relationships, in the end, everyone is destined to drift apart. Regardless of the circumstances, people always tend to fixate on their family members and those they know. It is precisely because of this layer of emotion that we constantly think of them and worry about them. If you were to see a stranger on the street suffering the same fate, you might feel a fleeting moment of sympathy, but you would soon forget them. This clearly shows that the fluctuations within our hearts are entirely generated by these perceived relationships."

The Illusion of Dependence

"Buried beneath these relationships, the truth is that most of the time, we are all fundamentally alone. We are born alone, we pursue our education alone, and we walk the entire journey of our lives alone. When we enter the darkness of the afterlife, all the relationships we held so dear become invisible; we see nothing of them. Who, then, are you really trying to rely on with this heart that cannot let go? Even if you desperately want to lean on the people you care about most, in the end, they are unreliable. The physical body will eventually reach its limit, and relationships will inevitably collapse or fade away. A heart that seeks to depend on others will ultimately find itself with nothing at all."

The Strength of Independent Practice

"Only through independence—by standing up on your own and truly being willing to let go of all these attachments—can you remove the interference that plagues your practice. Most people still keep a corner of their hearts reserved for these relationships, using them as a source of false security. You must transform this attachment into faith in the Buddha. Place your trust in the Buddha and make a sincere vow to follow the path, exerting all your strength in your diligent practice."

Equality in the Temple

"Within the temple, there are currently many types of relationships: husband and wife, father and son, mother and child, brothers and sisters. Our karmic connections are truly magnificent, as we have all gathered here at this Buddha-land. We should set aside the fluctuations of 'superior to inferior' or the constant need to fuss over one another. Instead, we must view everyone with absolute equality. Everyone should act as fellow practitioners, ignoring each other's shortcomings and focusing on independent practice. If you can speak less and stop trying to build these worldly connections, the power of your heart in practice will become much stronger. 'Solitude' is a direction in which everyone can advance more diligently."

The Example of Practitioner Su

"If you look at how Practitioner Su steps out into the void all alone, leading the many Dharma protectors and Bodhisattvas of the universe, you can understand that the great heart developed through such independence is truly limitless. Practitioner Su has manifested this before us; we should cherish this opportunity and be diligent in our efforts to let go. Namo Amituofo."

This message was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin.