It is Friday once again, marking the conclusion of another week. Time flows by with such incredible speed, day after day, like a river that never ceases its forward motion. In the videos shared by Practitioner Su, she often speaks of a state where one forgets the passage of time and the calendar dates entirely, focusing only on the singular, unwavering mission of saving the world. As we find ourselves in August, more than half of the year has already slipped away. I would like to ask you all: what have you harvested in your spiritual life thus far? Have you experienced any genuine transformation?
I do not ask this to lecture or reprimand the fourfold assembly. Rather, I ask because time is constantly flowing away from us. If you are not moving forward, you are essentially choosing between two paths: standing still or retreating in the face of the current. Nothing in this world is permanent or unchanging, except perhaps for the ultimate destination we seek—the of Ultimate Bliss. However, before you arrive there, you must ask yourself: have you truly prepared for that journey?
Preparing for the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
If you genuinely wish to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must thoroughly understand the requirements and the threshold for entry. Think of it as applying for a position at a company; you must possess the necessary skills, qualifications, and conditions before you can be accepted and employed. The Buddha has explained these requirements clearly within the sutras, and Practitioner Su has emphasised and re-emphasised them time and again.
What does it truly mean to engage in practice? It is the process of correcting ourselves in three fundamental areas:
Correcting wrong views: Aligning our perspective with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Correcting wrong thoughts: Purifying the mind of greed, anger, and ignorance.
Correcting wrong behaviours: Ensuring our actions reflect the and wisdom of the Buddha.
You must use these three directions to examine yourself daily. Are you truly practising, or is your practice limited to your lips? Is it merely a superficial exercise of the mind? I encourage you to explore and observe your daily conduct with honesty.
The Path of Diligent Self-Examination
For now, I will set aside the issue of interference from , as this is a challenge that every sincere practitioner will inevitably encounter and must learn to navigate. Instead, let us focus entirely on the aspect of self-examination. Causal Conditions do not wait for the fourfold assembly to grow or mature. When the conditions for a karmic result gather, they will not pause to ask if you are ready. Whether you face these moments with confidence or are forced to confront them unprepared depends entirely on whether you have seized the time you were given each day.
Every successful endeavour is the result of countless efforts and dedicated labour. There are no shortcuts or clever tricks in the spiritual life. Practice, in particular, requires a down-to-earth, diligent approach. Only through such steady effort can you truly change yourself, transform your personality, and refine your habits. This is how you become a true follower of the Buddha, rather than someone who is merely confused by the outward forms of religion.
I offer counseling to the fourfold assembly to cherish every single day. .
