True practitioners do not have these problems.
The main purpose of practice is to change one’s past erroneous concepts and behaviors, leading towards a mindset and actions aligned with the Middle Way. This allows one to cultivate a “heart of the Way” and “practice of the Way,” letting go of attachments to any extremes in the universe, thus distancing oneself from all mental troubles, obsessions, and hindrances. The focus of practice is on one’s own “state of mind” and “actions,” rather than on others or deities.
There is no place in the universe where the Way does not exist; therefore, people are within the Way, and the Way is within people—one cannot be separated from it for even a moment. The universe itself is also a place for practice; thus, practicing anywhere does not hinder one’s cultivation or enlightenment. A practitioner’s choice of where or how to practice is merely a personal choice based on different circumstances and has no direct or inevitable relation to their ability to attain enlightenment.
A practitioner’s ability to attain enlightenment has no direct or inevitable relation to religion, scriptures, doctrines, ethnicity, gender, nationality, culture, beliefs, skin color, lifestyle habits, or methods of practice. However, it does relate somewhat to their innate qualities (root capacities), understanding (wisdom), or attachment levels. Those with higher root capacities and stronger understanding find it easier to attain enlightenment; conversely, those with lower root capacities and weaker understanding struggle more with comprehending the singular truth of the universe and thus develop stronger attachments to things and events—making it harder for them to attain enlightenment.
So what is “attachment”? The term “attachment” refers to tightly holding onto something in the universe without letting go. What about “clinging”? To cling means that those things become stained or hindered in one’s heart and cannot be removed. Therefore, “attachment” means tightly holding onto any matter or object in the universe without being able to thoroughly let go or remove it from one’s heart.
Monastic practice is similar: Is there any special merit in “monastic practice”? Do practitioners need to become monks in order to cultivate? Choosing where one practices is merely one way among many personal choices; what does that have to do with merit? “Merit” refers to achievements made by physical actions while “virtue” refers to moral conduct cultivated internally. If monastic practitioners do not establish any achievements at all, how can there be merit?
The presence or absence of virtue within them has nothing at all to do with whether they are monastic; so what merit comes from being monastic? This notion serves as a promotional tactic encouraging practitioners toward monastic life—how can ordinary people take this seriously? Is there karma associated with “monastic practice”? Not necessarily; if someone enters monastic life at an inappropriate time—such as from an unsuitable family situation or without resolving personal responsibilities—then entering monastic life may indeed carry unresolved karmic obstacles.
What constitutes an “inappropriate time for monastic life”? If someone wishes to become a monk but faces strong opposition from family members and friends yet insists on proceeding anyway—that timing would indeed be inappropriate. But isn’t choosing whether or not to pursue monastic life a personal freedom? Why must it involve others’ consent?
It’s not about needing others’ consent but rather that those opposing their decision may still have unresolved karmic ties with them—for example: if they are married or have children but abandon their responsibilities for monastic life—is that appropriate? If elderly parents are alone or ill without care—can one leave home for cultivation under such circumstances? That would indeed be an inappropriate time.
What does it mean when we say “karmic ties have yet been resolved”? Karmic debts between two parties accumulated over lifetimes can only be considered resolved when both parties harbor “no resentment.” This indicates that their karmic debts are settled; thus we call it “resolved karma.” However if they haven’t been settled then we refer to them as “unresolved karma.” How can we know whether our karmic ties with others are resolved?
It’s quite simple: if one harbors no love nor hatred towards another person—or vice versa—it indicates that their karmic ties have been resolved. If even a trace of affection remains—a hint of sentimentality—or some bitterness exists—it signifies that their karmic debts remain unfulfilled; hence unresolved karma persists.
Why? Because if there remains even a sliver of sentimentality between two individuals—whether love sprouts anew or hatred lingers—it implies that their karmic debts remain unsettled. Such emotions can ignite feelings like love fires, desires, and anger within both parties indicating potential future developments into new stories filled with affection and animosity—which could lead both back into cycles of reincarnation paying off these debts—thus indicating unresolved karma exists between them.
The sentiments mentioned earlier—including affection and hatred—not only pertain strictly between lovers or spouses but also encompass relationships involving parents/elders/siblings/friends/classmates/co-workers… etc., all count as tangible creditors owed karmically either seeking repayment for past debts owed by us—or coming forth out of gratitude seeking balance—all vary widely! Therefore if karmas remain unpaid then pursuing monastic life becomes inappropriate because even after attaining liberation through spiritual insight post-monastery existence still necessitates returning into worldly realms resolving these outstanding karmas! Hence why not resolve these issues first before entering monkhood?
Why raise this question? Because attaining spiritual insight has nothing whatsoever related directly towards either being monkish nor layperson practices! So why insist upon pursuing monasticism specifically? Laypersons too can thoroughly resolve their earthly deeds while achieving spiritual insights leading ultimately towards liberation! So why cling solely onto becoming monks?
Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment while still living amidst worldly affairs! After attaining realization he taught across various regions over forty-nine years amidst worldly existence! Did Laozi achieve his insights through becoming monkish too? Hence pursuing monkhood isn’t merely about being ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ but rather about having ‘sufficient conditions’ versus ‘insufficient conditions.’ When conditions align wishing for monkhood leads naturally towards such paths while clinging onto whether one should pursue this path reflects ordinary human notions causing distress & hindrances! In reality true practitioners possess no worries regarding whether they should pursue either form since vastness encompasses everywhere allowing cultivation anywhere!
Next discussing which religious sects among 84 thousand methods & 3600 paths suit best suited practitioners: If our roots run deep & wisdom runs high then surely any sect will suffice well enough right?! Conversely however if roots shallow & wisdom low then which sect could possibly suit us at all?!
This reveals suitability lies fundamentally rooted within ourselves concerning depth & quality regarding our innate natures rather than directly correlating specifically tied down solely towards particular religious sects (additionally another reason involves spiritual sources guiding intuitively directing seekers towards selecting suitable paths!).
Why say this? Because currently every single religious path worldwide stems from human establishments over last three millennia yet both Siddhartha Gautama & Laozi achieved insights prior creation thereof so tell me which specific sect did they follow leading unto realization?
If we allow ourselves get caught up pondering which location offers superior cultivation opportunities—we’re simply self-inflicting unnecessary turmoil upon ourselves! For indeed vastness holds no limitations regarding where pathways exist nor where cultivations occur hence insisting upon specific religious paths reveals ignorance!
A certain type often believes fervently engaging earnestly reciting scriptures/bowing before deities/performing good deeds/volunteering/donating funds supporting teachers/publishing sacred texts…etc., yet wonders why situations worsen instead surrounding personal matters like careers/futures/marriages/health seemingly lacking divine blessings prompting thoughts questioning effectiveness behind such practices suggesting perhaps better off avoiding wasting precious time altogether!
This phenomenon carries only single answer unlocking confusion: They aren’t genuinely practicing (ps: another scenario arises wherein despite earnest efforts engaging chanting mantras/sitting quietly…etc., economic hardships arise causing doubts questioning correctness behind chosen path wondering whether continue onward?).
In fact overlooked detail often involves obstacles stemming from past-life karma! Among netizens three cases emerged revealing how accumulated past-life burdens obstructed progress along respective journeys! Of course these belong solely individual cases—not everyone experiences identical phenomena.)
This occurs due misinterpreting reciting scriptures/bowing before deities/good deeds/volunteering/donating funds supporting teachers/publishing sacred texts…etc., mundane acts mistaken as genuine spiritual endeavors failing transform prior erroneous beliefs/actions hence cultivating middle-way mindset/actions focusing instead upon nurturing own hearts/spirituality—a common pitfall many encounter!
The aim behind cultivation isn’t pursuit ‘of having,’ but rather returning ‘to nothingness.’ Buddhism teaches liberation principles urging individuals see clearly grasping truths underlying existence ultimately releasing attachments surrounding illusions perceived throughout worldly affairs arising due interdependent causes leading suffering resolution requires dissolving illusions creating pain seeds sprouting forth numerous troubles!
If painful causes aren’t eradicated naturally consequences must bear resultant pains primarily stemming inability perceive clearly grasping truths underlying existence failing release attachments surrounding illusions prompting feelings anguish hence why wouldn’t reflect critically examine oneself diligently investing effort cultivating instead blaming lack divine blessings received?!
A genuine practitioner requires possessing accurate recognition:
No complaints during learning/practice; No criticisms during cultivation;
No calculations during true practice; Unity devoid disputes!
Some believe gatherings serve purpose transcending beings whereas true meaning behind ‘transcendence’ lies freeing each sentient heart burdened ignorance afflictions calming turbulent thoughts surrounding birth-death cycles thereby expanding beyond self-centered desires encompassing greater humanity praying blessings upon all beings believing gatherings yield remarkable benefits benefiting both realms alike thus every session participants express gratitude sincerity purity intentions performing rituals reciting scriptures bowing seeking forgiveness offering generosity cultivating merits ultimately dedicating accomplishments accrued back towards ancestral grievances along myriad sentient beings across ten directions!
But does ‘transcendence’ truly mean this way? Actually ‘transcend’ signifies surpassing birth-death states whereas ‘deliverance’ implies freeing oneself escaping cyclical suffering inherent therein—that encapsulates essence behind ‘transcendence.’ Thus transcendence encompasses liberating spirits deceased alongside living ones since Buddha’s teachings inherently aim liberate sentient beings themselves!
What constitutes ‘crossing’? Crossing serves metaphorical representation whereby souls transition through teachings imparted via scriptures guiding minds navigating turbulent seas arriving shores wisdom awakening (scriptures embody teachings passed down by divine sages enabling adept seekers discover profound truths!).
Past transcendental efforts conducted primarily by temple masters accompanying sermons held infrequently throughout year typically once/twice max since temples focused chiefly delivering teachings guiding collective practices hence ancient temples referred as places fostering growth whereas Buddhist liberation principles predominantly aimed aiding humans—not spirits since living souls unable reach salvation whilst alive how could deceased ones ever hope achieve same?!
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