The Twelfth Letter: Navigating the Fog of Confusion

The Veiled Path of Worldly Illusion

In this world, events often appear as if we are viewing flowers through a thick, obscuring mist. We struggle to understand the true nature of our circumstances, and frankly, there are times when I simply do not understand the complexities of the path. I find myself feeling fortunate that I have not lived to an extreme old age, nor have I accumulated great wealth. It is a profound challenge for any human being to completely sever their attachment to the Five Desires and the Six Dusts. When the tests of life arrive, are they a cause for sorrow or a cause for joy? This is a question that requires us to constantly examine ourselves with Wisdom, engaging in an internal dialogue to remind ourselves of our true purpose.

The Weight of the Sangha’s Vow

My son, Venerable Ding Hong, you have chosen the path of a monastic. You must always remember that you reside within the Buddha’s gate. For those of us who are lay practitioners, we offer our support to the bodhimanda with sincerity and devotion. You must remember the ancient teaching: to consume even a single grain of rice offered by the faithful is a debt as heavy as Mount Sumeru. This is not merely a metaphor; it is a reality that carries immense karmic weight. As you follow the path of the Venerable Master Chin Kung to deliver sentient beings, your scope of service extends across the entire Dharma realm of emptiness. Every word you speak and every action you take must be performed with the utmost caution and reverence. You must walk with care, for the eyes of the celestial beings are always upon you, and their observation is never false.

The Clarity of Righteous Discernment

As your mother, I have been staying at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Here, I have witnessed the deep filial piety that Practitioner Su holds for the Venerable Master Chin Kung. I have also seen the profound pain and concern Practitioner Su feels for the Master. My son, the time has come for you to develop your own clear sense of discernment. Sometimes, what appears to be compassion can actually lead to great harm. True righteousness may require the courage to make difficult choices, even if it means standing against those closest to you to uphold the greater truth of the Dharma. This is the ultimate way to truly honour and assist your teacher.

A Radiant Call to the Pure Land

I ask you to reflect deeply upon this. You are now at a stage in your life where you must face the responsibilities of the Dharma realm of emptiness. You must be prepared to carry this burden. I invite you to come to Australia, to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. If you and Practitioner Su were to join hands in your efforts, guided by the boundless compassion of the Buddha, it would be a great blessing for all sentient beings who are currently lost in the cycle of rebirth. This is the message from a mother whose heart is filled with concern for your spiritual journey.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Cao Rudi.