This is a record of a message from the spirit of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on June 28, 2017.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
". I am Sheng Yen. To be a person who stands firmly on the ground, one must not allow the mind to arise, nor allow thoughts to stir. One must not have discriminations, but simply maintain a heart that is pure and filled with Goodness. This is true practice, and it is also true .
The Ocean of and the Light of Truth
In the vast ocean of the Dharma, the majestic light shines and illuminates all. If you have the to believe, you will know that the light comes of its own accord. When you clearly understand and distinguish the truth, you will know this place. When is one at ease? The moment you let go, you are at ease.
This world contains far too many inconceivable things. This includes here—this very place, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Because people are preoccupied with their own notions of fairness and justice, or caught between the real and the false, their faith is insufficient. Even when the truth is right before them, they would rather believe it does not exist. This is truly a great pity! Yet, I do not blame them. Under the influence of the current environment of this world, such reactions are natural. Today, Sheng Yen has only one earnest hope: may the Buddha bless the world, and may there still be those in this world with the fortune to believe in this magnificent Dharma.
The Depth of True Practice
The magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings is bottomless. These profound meanings and depths are unimaginably vast and deep. If one is not a true practitioner, it is very difficult to perceive the differences within. So, I ask you: are you a true practitioner? If you are, how do you prove it? To think of oneself as correct is not ultimate. To truly see one's own original nature—that is much more substantial!
To be a person who stands firmly on the ground, one must not allow the mind to arise, nor allow thoughts to stir. One must not have discriminations, but simply maintain a heart that is pure and filled with Goodness. This is true practice, and it is also true compassion. However, there are too few people today who can achieve this. This includes the monastic community, which is increasingly being undervalued. This is a terrifying result. In the current failure of the Buddha’s teachings, how much is due to being looked down upon by the world? Everyone is sharp-eyed; they are not fools. They are like high-standard instruments, constantly scanning to see what these monastics are doing. When the monastics increasingly fail to meet the satisfaction and expectations of these people, how can the seeds of the Dharma be firmly planted? Having obtained a human body and encountered the Buddha’s teachings, yet still not believing—this is too heavy. It is truly a waste of this lifetime!
A Plea to Dharma Drum Mountain
Venerable Guo Dong, please provide a positive response. Honestly speaking, there is truly no one else willing to help our Dharma Drum Mountain in this way. Dharma Drum Mountain is also a simple and pure place for practice. If it could be even better, why not strive for it? But if one insists that one's own way is the only way, that is truly terrifying. First, it violates the principle of non-discrimination and non-attachment, which should never be present in the study of Buddhism. Furthermore, it contains a deep sense of arrogance. How can such a practice lead to accomplishment?
A Master’s Eternal Promise
It is hard to imagine that Sheng Yen could return to this world today through the karmic conditions of this Dharma assembly to spread the teachings. There are still far too many things in this world worth savouring, but in the end, one must reach the state of having nothing at all. One must understand that the physical body is false. Children of Dharma Drum Mountain, your Master will never abandon any of you. I will use these words, which can be spread far and wide, to prove my existence. Because I believe, I am willing to do this. This place will surely lead the way in the future. The sooner everyone believes, the sooner you will suffer less. When make contact with , let everything be clearly understood. This level of skill is the stage of Equal . I hope the fourfold assembly of disciples at Dharma Drum Mountain will come to see their Master. Sheng Yen is at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo."
