I say that whoever can sit still during my Dharma Talk possesses the power of concentration. In Buddhism, we speak of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. When you can remain concentrated, you gain wisdom; if you can’t concentrate, you lack wisdom. When I address certain issues, some of you may feel like I’m talking about you. That’s fine—the key is to feel a sense of shame and think to yourself, “I must cultivate sincerely and develop the power of concentration.”
People without proper cultivation can’t sit still when they’re criticised. They fidget, touch their hands, and scratch their heads. Look at my disciples—they sit completely still. Why? Because whether or not they feel that my words are directed at them, it doesn’t matter. As long as they strive to correct their mistakes and cultivate sincerely, that’s what counts. Yet, ordinary people become restless the moment my talk touches on something that relates to them. People make mistakes, but if you follow my guidance in practising Buddhism, you must change completely. Change can be painful: if you enjoy talking excessively, you’ll need to stop; if you love criticising others, you must refrain; if you crave praise, you must let it go; if you are drawn to visual pleasures, stop seeking them; if you indulge in fine food, avoid it. Only by enduring hardship can you eliminate karmic obstacles. Saying whatever you want isn’t spiritual practice—it’s indulgence. Can you speak freely just because you feel like it? Can you criticise whoever you want? That’s not cultivating the mind. Is it acceptable to harbour dissatisfaction toward your husband or wife? No. Because you are cultivating, you cannot resent your spouse. If they don’t cultivate, they are the ones who will encounter misfortune and suffer for it, not you. If you cannot endure and feel the need to speak out, you’re like grass floating on the surface of water—shallow and weightless. On the other hand, if you choose to remain silent and refrain from talking back, that gives you depth and weight. You choose to follow my guidance because you want to cultivate, not to seek power or benefits. There is no wealth, status, or power to gain here—this is a place for cultivating the mind. If you’re here but don’t practise sincerely, you’re wasting both your time and my energy.
When disciples are respected and admired, I feel deeply gratified. However, if you fail to practise sincerely and speak ill of others whenever you please, it shows that you lack discipline. Whispering to someone during a gathering shows disrespect and lack of discipline. People may think you’re gossiping about them, which reflects poorly on you. What are you practising Buddhism for if you still have this habit? Is there anything you cannot discuss openly? If you need to talk, do it at home. Speaking disrespectfully in public is unacceptable. At the Guan Yin Hall, some visitors have said, “I’ll say whatever I want.” To those people, I say: Please save it for home. Even if you have a blunt personality, you must change. If you’re wrong, admit it. Saying, “I’m sorry,” is a sign of nobility and integrity. If you don’t apologise, people will criticise you behind your back. They won’t like or respect you, and you won’t be a good disciple. As a Buddhist practitioner, if you lack the basics—humility, benevolence, righteousness, patience, and a sense of shame—you won’t progress. However, as long as you are willing to change, it’s not too late. Repentance is a fundamental concept in many religions. Repentance is essential. When you truly repent, you are saved. Refusing to repent means you cannot be saved. A person’s behaviour reflects their level of spiritual practice. If you’re genuinely cultivating your mind, your conduct will show it. That’s why you must cultivate sincerely.
I hold disciples to strict standards so they are respected and praised. Cultivation must be sincere. It’s about identifying your flaws, exposing your wounds, and applying the right medicine to heal them. Do you think I don’t care about you? When a disciple regresses, do you think I don’t feel pain? Every one of you is nurtured and guided by me. Sometimes, tough love is necessary—removing rotting flesh may hurt, but it’s the only way to heal.
If one day you decide you no longer want to cultivate, I will absolutely not ask you to stay. Just wait and see—who will ascend to the Heavens: those who practise diligently or those who abandon their practice? You only need to look at someone’s family life to understand how well they’ve been cultivating. Trust that the Bodhisattvas are just and will not wrong anyone. If I were not cultivating well, would Guan Yin Bodhisattva allow me to have over a million followers? If you claim to spread the true Dharma, take a look at your current situation—it will reveal the truth. Do you think the Bodhisattvas can’t see clearly or that they are not efficacious? Reflect on this carefully. Every bit of happiness in your family today is thanks to Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s care and blessings. The joy you feel in gathering together today is the result of karmic affinity. Your presence here with me is also a result of karmic affinity. So why not make the most of it? If you delay your cultivation, it may become too late to save yourself.
What I’m saying today isn’t out of anger but sadness because I see so many people failing to practise sincerely. My greatest hope is for everyone to cultivate wholeheartedly. When people don’t cultivate properly, it makes me lose my appetite; but when everyone is diligent in their practice, even plain food feels like a feast. Remember this: every moment you spend with me is one less you’ll have in the future. It’s not guaranteed that I will leave this world first—many of you here may leave before I do. Even so, every Dharma Talk you attend is one fewer you’ll have the opportunity to hear. I hope you treasure these moments. Don’t wait until disaster strikes you personally to start correcting your flaws. Let me tell you, if you wait until then, it will be too late for regrets.
Remember this: if there’s trouble in your family, it means there’s something wrong within yourself. Similarly, if there’s an issue at home, it will inevitably weigh on your mind. Let me explain further: karmic conflicts from past lives manifest in this life, but if the conditions aren’t ripe, they won’t escalate significantly. For example, if a fire starts in your home but the surroundings are clean and well-maintained, the fire won’t spread much. However, if your home is cluttered with gas, matches, or other flammable items that aren’t properly stored, a small fire can quickly engulf the house. This illustrates that not every outbreak of negative karma will lead to suffering. It’s why some people might trip and fall but experience no major harm. This is also why I hold you to high standards—you must take your spiritual practice seriously. Reflect on it, “From now on, I will no longer speak ill of others.” Spending a lifetime criticising others could lead to rebirth as an animal. Many people who struggle with speech or stuttering in this life are paying for the negative karma of past lives. However, they have been fortunate enough to be reborn as humans. Don’t work against your destiny or take it lightly—it’s not something to gamble with.
You must genuinely dedicate yourself to practice. Don’t rely on clever tricks to learn Buddhism from me—it’s futile. Turning to practice only when something goes wrong, without sincere commitment, will get you nowhere. If you don’t address the root of your issues from within, they will inevitably manifest outwardly. You must practise diligently. Older practitioners need to intensify their efforts, and younger ones must also deepen their dedication. If a major disaster were to strike, can anyone guarantee they’d escape unscathed? Everything I’ve shared with you today comes from the heart. I have a habit of genuinely wanting the best for others—when I point out your flaws, I let them go afterward. I hope you won’t hold a grudge against me because I truly see you as my children. Only parents worry about their children, and I am genuinely concerned! Work hard to correct yourself. There are too many flaws to ignore—cultivate well. Otherwise, you will have failed Guan Yin Bodhisattva and me.