The Awakening of Consciousness (22)
Rest is for the purpose of traveling a longer road. What is the purpose of cultivation? Buddhism states: Bodhisattvas fear causes. Sentient beings fear results. For those whose consciousness has just begun to awaken, where should the initial goal of cultivation be set?
It is determined by your initial intention to walk the path of cultivation. This also decides whether your journey toward awakening will be fraught with difficulties or smooth sailing. Is this path filled with obstacles, hardships, and a life of poverty and suffering? Or is it a journey filled with ease, happiness, and a life rich in joy, contentment, and comfort? As troubles become less significant, it all hinges on that initial thought you had. Cultivation is about correcting one’s bad habits and thoughts to restore one’s inherent conscience and awareness. As you walk the path of cultivation, do you constantly reflect on yourself? Are you on the right path or are you lost in confusion, following others’ words or texts aimlessly? Picking up what you desire while adhering strictly to rules.
Practitioners should always introspect. Is the path of practice filled with suffering and troubles or is it one of joy and ease? If your journey has been full of unbearable pain and unending troubles, then you should self-reflect whether you are on the right path. Cultivation aims to escape suffering and attain joy. If your practice leads only to more pain and endless troubles, with increasing tribulations—could that truly be the right way? If enlightenment requires one to cultivate from a place of suffering, then that is your own choice. If you believe that your past karmic obstacles are profound enough that enduring hardships is what you deserve, then that too is your own choice. One must ask: Is this a mission bestowed upon you by heaven or something you’ve imagined for yourself? Suffering and joy; poverty and enlightenment—these are two sides of the same coin. Yet you choose to walk a path filled with suffering and poverty, heading in a negative direction. With an initial heart skewed towards one side, how could there be no obstacles along the way? The sutras say: If one can change their thoughts, they are like Tathagata (the Buddha). What does it mean to be awakened? To recognize suffering is to leave it behind; joy arises daily. To recognize troubles means to sever them; enlightenment grows daily. It all depends on that moment’s thought—where does it act upon? Observe it carefully; do not waste time living an entire life without achieving anything.
In future lives as humans, follow the way of being human—not for other matters. Be good at being human; do not do wrongs. If humanity isn’t fulfilled but one dreams of walking the sacred path—this is putting things upside down. The realm of immortals and Buddhas represents those who have maximized moral spirit in this world. Have we reflected upon ourselves enough to know if we have fulfilled our duties as humans? Have we become good people? If we cannot even manage our own essential needs well, what use is there in cultivating other matters? Cultivation does not require others’ approval; if those around you have no dissenting voices yet can influence others positively—then you’re on the right path. However, if throughout your journey friends and family drift further away from you—even leading to broken homes—what road are you walking down? You may be straying from awakening instead! If one cannot awaken oneself now—instead experiencing hell in this moment—it’s not about entering afterlife realms; all suffering arises from one’s own heart.
by – Teacher Liu Hongming