True Practice: A Path to Awakening

The Compass of the Soul

Practice is the very foundation of our hope in learning the Dharma. It serves as the guiding compass that directs us through the vast, turbulent ocean of existence. When we embark upon the process of achieving success in our practice, we often engage in many noble activities. We strive to be active, diligent, and supportive, and we practise the virtue of Generosity. We dedicate our efforts to these noble causes, hoping to attain specific results: a sense of inner peace and tranquillity for our restless minds, physical health and vitality for our bodies, or perhaps the ultimate achievement of returning to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

However, we must ask ourselves: what is the true purpose of our practice, and how are we fulfilling it? Within our practice, many of us fail to look inward. We do not know how to question our own hearts or how to truly see ourselves. We must learn to observe how our inner world is changing. Are we merely going through the motions, or is there a genuine transformation taking place within our consciousness?

Beyond the Veil of Form

In our pursuit of the Dharma, we may listen to countless lectures on the sutras, and we may have completed many daily lessons and assignments. Yet, we must be honest with ourselves: are these actions enough to repay the karmic debts carried within even a single cell of our bodies? Our physical forms are filled with the remnants of past actions, and these changes are visible if we only look closely enough. If we rely solely on external forms, our practice will remain subject to the relentless passage of time. The body will age, the heart will fluctuate, and our vitality will eventually fade. Everything in this material world is destined to move toward decay.

The Fading Light of the World

Life often resembles the setting sun, slowly descending into the darkness of night. The bright light and hope that we felt at the beginning of our journey can eventually give way to a sense of hopelessness. We may find ourselves filled with anxiety, panic, and a profound sense of tension, all of which stem from our deep-seated fear of separation from this world. We become lost in the formless, drifting through the cycle of rebirth. If you, my child, cannot see your own heart, then you cannot see the Buddha. You are looking outward when the truth resides within.

The Eternal Call Home

True practice does not focus on rigid forms or outward appearances. Even the act of Generosity must be performed with the right intention and in the right way. Do you truly know if you have achieved success in your practice? This depends entirely on whether you are awake in this very moment. My child, have you awakened yet? You must become clear and alert. Once you awaken, you will naturally see the Buddha. The Buddha is always here, waiting for you to return home to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.