The concept of “understanding and practice are both important” emphasises the need to combine comprehension and resolution with action. In other words, both spiritual cultivation and mental cultivation are essential—you need both. Without understanding, merely performing good deeds will only generate limited merit and virtue. For instance, some Buddhist practitioners visit nursing homes to feed the elderly or go to cancer centres to encourage and uplift patients. Yet, they themselves may end up developing cancer. They believe that doing good deeds alone will bring happiness to others, alleviating their suffering as they approach the end of life. But can you truly relieve their pain this way? If you lack the energy, merit and virtue to help others, how can you genuinely save them? Such individuals lack proper understanding, and this is truly unfortunate.
On the other hand, some practitioners focus solely on reciting Buddhist scriptures and refuse to engage in good deeds. That approach is equally ineffective. While they may recite sutras well for their own benefit, they are unwilling to extend help to others. What I teach you is that it’s not enough to understand; you must also act. At Dharma Talks, did you perform meritorious deeds? Did each of you contribute? When you take action, you must do so without selfish intentions, or the merit and virtue you accumulate will diminish. For example, conducting business outside the Guan Yin Hall is a personal matter. However, if you visit the Guan Yin Hall with the intent of involving religious practitioners in your business dealings, you are committing karmic offences. Do you understand? Such actions create karmic obstacles that will lead to retribution in the future. When understanding and action are combined, they create strength. Do you want to develop strength? Then strive to thoroughly understand and cultivate diligently.
Let me tell you this: greed must be eradicated completely. If you’re greedy—wanting this today, wanting that tomorrow—what will you be left with in the end? Nothing. You came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing, reduced to a pile of bones. Even if you amass great wealth, can you take it with you? That is why you must completely eliminate greed and afflictions. Afflictions create significant obstacles and must be overcome. When afflictions arise, use wisdom; when greed arises, practise generosity. The more you give, the less greedy you will become. Living in this human world, I find joy in constantly giving gifts to sentient beings. Whoever comes to see me, I ensure they leave feeling happy. This is to encourage them to practise Buddhism, learn generosity, and embrace the Buddha-dharma—all of which generate merit and virtue. You must learn to let go! This is the method I use to guide and awaken people—by leading through example. Humans are truly pitiable; it is their lack of wisdom that gives rise to greed. Simply reciting sutras without cultivating the mind will leave you without wisdom. I want every one of you, my disciples, to help each other sincerely, care for one another, practise generosity, and live like brothers and sisters.
Mental strength is concentration. A person must cultivate mental strength. What is mental strength? It is the power within one’s heart. Without inner strength, a person cannot settle their mind. I’ve told you repeatedly: cultivating the mind must be absolutely pure, without the slightest blemish. Any practice tainted by selfishness or distracting thoughts is entirely in vain or results in the outflow of merit and virtue. At Dharma Talks, I work so hard while giving the talk, surrounded by attendees to the point of physical exhaustion. After each session of Totem readings or teachings, why do I choose to stay afterwards? It’s to give people an opportunity—to guide and awaken them face-to-face, to be present for those in need, and to truly help them be free from hardship and suffering! Guan Yin Bodhisattva has appointed me as her messenger to awaken others. Could I hide backstage? Could I behave like some popular speaker, delivering a talk, basking in applause, and leaving immediately? What kind of conduct would that be? The Buddha-dharma exists in the human world; people must feel the presence of Bodhisattvas in their lives. You need to give them hope and help them believe that Bodhisattvas truly exist in this world! Since they cannot see Guan Yin Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva allows me to manifest for them. Yet, some of you want to keep me hidden. I am risking my life to save people—I hope you understand this; otherwise, you’ll regret it in the future. Failing to cherish your Master is equivalent to failing to cherish sentient beings. You must dedicate your time to guiding and awakening others. Make every effort to help! Help others sincerely from the heart. If you lack dharma power or ability, then help people achieve awakening by encouraging them to recite Buddhist scriptures.
Did you know that wisdom manifests as a light above the head? When this light disperses, a person loses their wisdom. When it gathers, they gain great wisdom. This wisdom is formed by the combination of many parts, much like the existence of spiritual beings. I’ve explained this before. For instance, when one mosquito is killed, it creates a small point of energy; killing another adds an additional point. If many mosquitoes are killed, their collective spiritual energy combines into a larger entity. Over time, this energy may reincarnate into forms such as pigs or chickens. A pig must be killed 300 times before it can reincarnate as a human. Dogs follow a similar process. This is the cycle of accumulation through many lifetimes. To cultivate greater wisdom, you must keep gathering the light of wisdom. A person without wisdom lacks light. Look at the images of Bodhisattvas—do any of them not have a halo of light above their heads? Even statues of deities, including Jesus Christ, depict a halo radiating from their heads. You must learn diligently. When people panic, their light scatters. When they become impatient, their light of wisdom dissipates. Do not live in constant worry, for worry makes the world feel narrow. Resentment creates enemies wherever you go. Grief traps you in your own misery, and anger attracts adversaries. I save good people; I do not save the wicked. Even Ji Gong Bodhisattva, when he descended to the human world, said the same: punish evil and save the good. As disciples, you must alleviate my burdens by helping to guide and awaken others. Once your light disperses, you lose your wisdom. Therefore, the light within a person is incredibly important.
Let me explain to you what the “sutras” we recite truly are. Sutras are, in fact, the Dharma body relics (śarīra) of the Buddha. They represent the Dharma body contained within the scriptures, which has a profoundly positive effect on you. They radiate a brilliant golden light. Relics are the crystallised results of spiritual cultivation—transparent and luminous. Those I saw were not in the Human Realm, but in the Heavenly Realms. If you disrespect sutras by handling them carelessly or leaving them lying around, many Bodhisattvas will sigh deeply—what is known as the sighing of all Buddhas. Bodhisattvas do not punish people; they simply sigh, “Alas…” However, the Dharma Protectors will follow, appearing as wrathful Vajra Bodhisattvas with glaring eyes. Mishandling sutras undoubtedly creates karmic obstacles. Do you understand? In one of my radio programs, a listener shared that they kept my publications by their bedside and frequently dreamt of ascending to the Heavens.
You must understand that failing to find the Right Path can be devastating. If you follow the wrong practices, practise them blindly, or casually choose a teacher, you could harm not only yourself but also your loved ones. Today, someone who practised another Dharma Door came to see me. At first, he was full of confidence and discussed Buddhism with me. By the end of the conversation, he said, “Master Lu, I concede. I want to study properly under you.” I told him, “It doesn’t matter who you study under—it’s the same principle.” This man had experienced domestic violence from his wife, leaving bruises all over his body. I explained to him that practising Buddhism is like seeking medical treatment—you must find a doctor perfectly suited to your condition. All doctors may be good in their field, and some are renowned experts, but a cardiologist cannot treat a broken bone. Do you understand? To truly save and awaken yourself, you must find a Dharma Door that is most suited to you. You are living beings, and your emotions fluctuate daily. You must diligently correct your mind. Always remember this: if you do not cultivate sincerely, I cannot keep you as my disciple. My goal is for people to say, “Every disciple is exceptional.” That would bring me joy. If you are currently cultivating well, no one will bring up the karmic obstacles from your past. However, if you neglect your practice, others will not only dig up your past mistakes but also exaggerate them. Who among us does not have a mix of good and bad records? This is why genuine cultivation is essential. Stay low profile when performing meritorious deeds, with dedication and caution.