The Foundation of Sincerity

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

24 September 2023

The word 'Sincerity' serves as a title for teachings that can be revisited time and time again. It is a subject that can never be exhausted, for while it is the most vital element of our spiritual journey, it is also the one most frequently overlooked by the masses. Because of this, it is necessary to remind everyone of its importance repeatedly.

The True Essence of Sincerity

When you study the Dharma, or even when you enter a temple or a bodhimanda to engage in practice, you may wonder why, after many years, you have yet to see significant progress or tangible results. The answer is simple: your sincerity is insufficient. Sincerity is composed of two fundamental aspects:

• A True Heart: This means having a single, focused heart that is pure and free from any contamination or mixed intentions.
• Honest Intention: This means having a sincere heart that is upright, honest, and operates without any conditions or hidden agendas.

In our current state, many practitioners find themselves physically present in the temple or the bodhimanda, yet their hearts are elsewhere. They are distracted by worldly affairs, failing to maintain a single-minded focus. Instead of having one heart, they have two, or even many. Their practice is conditional; they approach the Dharma with their own personal methods and viewpoints, always placing their own needs first. This attachment to the 'self' is the very definition of selfishness.

The Obstacles of the Self

If you remain attached to the self, how can you possibly achieve the goals of spiritual purification, progress, or the ultimate state of no-self and becoming an awakened being? This is precisely why it is so difficult today to find practitioners who truly inspire deep reverence and admiration in others. The problem lies within the practitioner's own heart.

Even when the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends provide guidance and reminders again and again, many people still fail to remember these lessons. They cannot hold the teachings in their hearts, nor can they face their own shortcomings. If these reminders were not given, the problems would be even more impossible to improve or resolve.

The Necessity of Constant Guidance

This is the very reason why those who deliver lectures and teach the Dharma must do so tirelessly. They see the problems that the masses face, and they must repeat the same lessons to ensure the message is eventually heard. However, because these teachings are repeated, they are often taken for granted by the listeners. They hear the words, but they do not truly listen; they do not treat the advice as a matter of life and death.

This is especially true for those who become drowsy during sessions, those who drift into other spaces of the mind, or those who suffer when the realities of old age, sickness, and death manifest before them. When you find yourself in such suffering, you must truly blame yourself for not listening to the counseling provided in your daily life. You have failed to overcome these obstacles, and you have failed to change your personality traits. This is why your karmic creditors appear to seek balance, causing you the pain of debt and retribution. All disciples must be extremely cautious and diligent in this regard.

Namo Amituofo