Do you remember last week when I mentioned the possibility of an earthquake in Australia? Recently, there was an earthquake near Newcastle on Australia’s central coast, and today, Los Angeles experienced a tremor measuring over magnitude four. Geologists have convened several emergency meetings. The reality is that the Earth’s crust has already begun to shift. This world is inherently chaotic, and with doomsday theorists and various cults spreading their messages, the situation only worsens.
We should all recognise that nature is becoming increasingly unforgiving. Earthquakes often begin with smaller tremors, gradually escalating into larger ones. For example, another earthquake has struck Sichuan, China. Once a location develops a propensity for earthquakes, it is likely to experience them again. This is much like illness in the human body—once a health issue arises, it often recurs.
I’m feeling deeply unhappy right now. Many of you are still not cultivating diligently or heeding my advice. You remain trapped in your “self-attachment,” always placing yourself first. Remember, no matter how much you’re unwilling to let go, you will eventually leave this world. Life is full of inevitabilities. No matter how reluctant you are, you’ll still have to leave anyway. Haven’t you heard of being separated by life and death? You have such a good teacher by your side, yet you fail to cherish this opportunity. Many of you disciples are not putting in enough effort into your cultivation, and karmic consequences can occur in an instant. Do you realise how many people have become awakened during my Dharma Talks over the past two days? Each time I deliver a Dharma Talk, I help countless new people—this is an accumulation of merit and virtue. Though I have been exerting myself, I refuse to give up on anyone who can be saved. When people come to see me, I do my utmost to manifest supranormal powers for them. Such manifestations require a great deal of energy—I even need to describe details such as what their homes look like or the colour of their sofas. It takes a significant toll on my energy, but I do it to help non-believers find faith.
You disciples should reflect deeply—what have you contributed? How much merit and virtue have you accumulated? Does the merit and virtue you’ve gained so far correspond to the karmic debts you will need to repay in the future? Understand this: it is you who ultimately benefit from your meritorious deeds, not others. If you fail to cultivate diligently, when disaster strikes, you won’t be able to escape it. Let me tell you—compare the number of people with cancer today to the past. There are far more cases now than ever before. Decades ago, cancer was rare; today, it has become so common that people are no longer surprised by it. I focus only on helping those who are virtuous, not those who are deceitful or crooked. Guan Yin Bodhisattva also guides and awakens sentient beings who have an affinity with Buddhism. Why do you think Guan Yin Bodhisattva saves you? What have you done to deserve it? Many of you now enjoy stable, comfortable lives—what have you contributed to earn this? Were these blessings truly deserved? It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to you this way, but I must remind you: if you do not cultivate sincerely, not even I can save you.
Now I will talk about the merit and virtue of practising forbearance. Practising forbearance is no easy feat. Even the practice of observing precepts or engaging in ascetic practices cannot compare to the merit and virtue of practising forbearance. Observing precepts is already a significant achievement, and ascetic practices are equally remarkable, yet neither is as impactful as forbearance. Why? Because forbearance can eliminate your karmic obstacles, whereas ascetic practices may not. Every day, I receive countless urgent requests for help. Just seeing these requests piled up on my desk gives me a real headache. But I must help people. How much merit and virtue have you accumulated? On the day of my Dharma Talk, do you know how much energy I expend just to convince people? Do you think I do this for fun or entertainment? You must deeply believe in karma—everything in life arises from it. Do not get angry, and do not cling to attachments. If you come here to scheme, try to act smart, or engage in idle chatter, this is not the place for you. I have told you before: Guan Yin Hall is a place filled with righteousness. Look at how efficacious Guan Yin Bodhisattva is, and you will understand.
The other day, I was told that a monk came to Sydney, and many people went to see him. Someone asked me how I felt about it. I replied, “That’s wonderful! Someone is here to spread the Dharma. I’m delighted.” In truth, the person who asked was observing my reaction. But what reaction should I have? Anyone who spreads the Dharma is a Bodhisattva. The methods of spreading the Dharma may vary. For instance, you might prefer visiting a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. However, even today, Chinese medicine practitioners often rely on modern diagnostic tools, such as advanced equipment or imaging technologies, to assess patients. After conducting tests like ultrasounds, CT scans, or blood tests, they prescribe treatments. Would they still rely solely on the pulse-reading techniques of the past? Remember, the number of people passing away is increasing, and karmic retribution is manifesting faster than ever. Since 2010, have you noticed that earthquakes occur almost every month? It’s like quarrels that escalate into divorce—starting with small arguments, progressing to moderate ones, and then full-blown fights, eventually leading to separation. Similarly, earthquakes often start small. Do you think they will stop? The world is saturated with negative energy. Everyone is selfish, thinking only of themselves. Let me caution you—whether you are young or old, do not bring selfishness into the practice of Buddhism. If you harm others to benefit yourself, it is a grave offence.
In this world, you must deeply believe in the law of cause and effect. If your belief is shallow, you might think, “Haven’t I already adopted a vegetarian diet? Haven’t I already taken refuge in Buddhism? Haven’t I already received the precepts?” Yet, when adversity strikes, your mind falters. You might start questioning, “Is this really working? Are the scriptures I’ve been reciting effective?” Doubt creeps in, and you begin to wonder whether Buddhism is truly efficacious. By doing so, you sow yet another seed of karma—this is called “ignorance of cause and effect.” It reveals a lack of wisdom, naively assuming that simply cultivating your mind is enough. You must understand that the fruition of karma is only a matter of time. When you make a promise, you must honour your word. If you lack integrity, can you still be considered a decent person? Performing meritorious deeds is entirely voluntary—you create your own karma. Let me tell you: ignorance is also a form of karma, known as “ignorance of cause and effect.” For example, if you’ve been doing good deeds but encounter adversity, you must understand that it stems from past or present negative actions. These are the karmic consequences of harmful deeds you have committed, and your current spiritual practice is insufficient to eliminate these negative karmic forces. This is why you must not waver in cultivating your mind. Those who falter in their cultivation often face greater karmic retribution than those who have never cultivated at all, because they have already received the blessings of the Bodhisattvas.
Hosting such a grand Dharma Talk is no easy task. Look at the last life liberation event—how many people participated? There were over a dozen coaches filled with attendees. Without the merit and virtue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, would so many people have been there? You should truly cherish the lives of those beings. On the day of the Dharma Talk, after my talk, I was surrounded by people seeking guidance. I wanted to give them an opportunity—to inspire their faith and show them that someone is there to save them. Reflect on this: how much merit and virtue have you accumulated? Even though I work tirelessly to guide and awaken people, I still feel that my merit and virtue are insufficient. I couldn’t save everyone—I could only give each person a brief response. You must learn from this spirit of selflessness and not focus solely on yourself. Once your household improves—your children are doing well, you’ve bought a house, your husband is thriving—you stop caring about anything else. Many of you practise Buddhism only for the benefit of your families. One day you make an effort; the next, you slack off; the day after, you try again; and then you give up altogether. This selfishness keeps holding you back. How can you make progress in your cultivation? When my disciples face problems, do I feel the pain? Of course, I do. Once you’ve taken me as your Master, you are always in my thoughts. Who doesn’t have problems? Which family is without issues? Many people don’t take their spiritual practice seriously at first, and when problems arise at home, it becomes a wake-up call to spur them into action. You must truly put your heart into your practice and sincerely repent. Don’t wait for problems to occur before making changes. You should correct yourself even when everything seems fine. Don’t wait until an earthquake strikes to think about escaping—prepare yourself when there’s no disaster so that calamities never come your way.
Life is a race against impermanence, and spiritual cultivation is no different. What is impermanence? It is the transient nature of everything in this world—nothing lasts forever. Today, you may be a married couple, but tomorrow, the relationship might dissolve. Today, your child is close to you, but tomorrow, tragedy might strike, and your child could pass away. You must understand the harsh realities of the Human Realm. Think about it: what does it mean to battle your own life and race against impermanence? It means preparing yourself before your time runs out. Many people neglect this, spending their days playing mahjong or indulging in leisure activities. But life is short—where will you go after death? As my disciples, you are fortunate, yet you fail to appreciate it. Even when I speak to you, you don’t truly listen. As the saying goes, “When causes and conditions align, the karmic consequences manifest.” When the right conditions come together, the fruits of karma inevitably follow. Karmic cause and effect are inseparable, like a shadow that accompanies the body—they are ever-present. Once people or things are gone, they are gone. What are you doing with your time? Pursuing wealth, fame, profit, family, or focusing solely on your own children? Don’t you realise that if you dedicate yourself to benefiting all sentient beings, your children and family are naturally included in this effort? How many of you truly act for the benefit of all beings? Let me ask you: how many attendees at this Dharma Talk are my family?
I’ve told you before that many Dharma Protectors are beings who have descended from the Asura Realm—they possess immense power. Even a simple act like expressing gratitude before a meal, such as saying, “Thank you, Guan Yin Bodhisattva,” generates merit and virtue. Eating mindfully and appreciatively cultivates merit and virtue, while eating carelessly or with negative emotions can create karmic obstacles. Therefore, you must not argue while eating, and you should especially avoid tapping your bowl. Have you heard the elders say that tapping your bowl is like cursing the Heavens? Food and rice are blessings from above. Before eating, take a moment to reflect and silently think, “Thank you, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, for your compassion.” This act generates merit and virtue. Cultivating the Bodhi Mind helps to grow your Dharma body and strengthen your “wisdom life.” The Dharma body refers to our physical form, while this world is referred to as the Dharma Realm. “Wisdom life” signifies insight and spiritual awakening. If you express gratitude before eating, such as saying, “Thank you, Guan Yin Bodhisattva, for your compassion,” even if someone attempted to poison your food, you would remain unharmed. In the past, there have been cases where monks were poisoned, but as the food reached their throats, the poison miraculously dissolved. It’s akin to the stories of Ji Gong Bodhisattva consuming meat. Many people saw him eating meat, but it was his way of mocking human ignorance. By the time the meat reached his throat, it vanished, as he possessed the body of a Bodhisattva. If someone tried to poison you, the Eight Types of Dharma Protectors would eliminate the poison, ensuring your safety. The devas and nagas are among the most powerful Dharma Protectors.
There’s a saying: “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself.” Reflect on how many wrong deeds you’ve committed in the past. I’ve given you the opportunity to start anew and cultivate your mind—why not seize it? Are you still holding on to your old bad habits? Remember, your flaws lead to karmic obstacles.
Those who sincerely focus on chanting the Buddha’s name will find their hearts radiating light, earning the respect of spirits and deities alike. Among you, whose heart shines with such light? In the Underworld, there are both deities and spirits, with the deities overseeing the spirits, much like superiors managing their subordinates. Many individuals, after passing away, linger in the Underworld for an extended time, unwilling to move on. I hesitate to discuss this, but the truth is that some of these individuals have themselves become deities. However, they are deities of the Underworld—consuming meat and accepting offerings.
I often say there is a thief in your mind, and that thief is called delusive thoughts. Every delusive thought you have is a thief. Don’t mistake the thief for your father—don’t convince yourself that these delusive thoughts are beneficial. For example, someone might dream of winning the lottery and justify it by saying, “If I win, I’ll donate $10,000 to the Guan Yin Hall.” By treating delusive thoughts as legitimate, aren’t you essentially mistaking the thief for your father? Don’t entertain such thoughts; instead, focus on cultivating righteous thoughts. When you give rise to righteous thoughts, delusive thoughts will naturally disappear. I use plain, straightforward language to explain Buddhist teachings to you, disciples, because there’s no other way. I’m pleading with you—don’t you want a better future? If so, start accumulating more merit and virtue. Doing meritorious deeds solely for your own benefit—doesn’t that feel shameful? Elevate your thinking. Regularly focus on righteous thoughts, and delusive thoughts will vanish.