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- Doing Practice is a Very Happy Thing
- By Master Lian-tzi of Lotus Light Temple
in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Translated by Janny Chow from
page B of the July 2nd, 1998 issue of The True Buddha News,
Vancouver Edition.
- Translated by Janny Chow.
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Question: After taking refuge in the True Buddha School,
a student must start doing practice. But, throughout the process
of practice, how does one know if one is getting yogic responses
and not making any mistakes?
Answer: First, let me talk about how to lay down a good
foundation for doing spiritual cultivation. Some people have taken
refuge for many years, yet they have not built up a good habit of
doing practice. In a flash, eight or ten years pass by, then they
find themselves at the end of life without achieving anything. This
is a problem of immediate concern to spiritual cultivators. If one
is alerted to this problem, one must make an intense commitment
to turn things around.
An authentic spiritual practice will definitely be affirmed and
empowered by the Flow of Cosmic Consciousness. When one carries
out every step of the practice conscientiously and earnestly, the
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas invoked during the practice will bestow
empowerment and blessing upon one, enabling the practitioner to
have some concrete experiences. One's faith and confidence will
grow --- a strong determination will emerge to persevere on the
path.
There are also people who have practiced for eight to ten years
without feeling anything. This is because they do not have anyone
to show them how to grasp the important points. They suffer from
a lack of affirming experiences which, in combination with a laid-back
attitude and a deficiency in karmic merits, lead to a decline in
faith.
To treat such a problem, one needs to do two things. Firstly, do
the practice when one is in an energetic condition and is able to
summon one's mind, speech, and emotion and focus them. Secondly,
find a good teacher and start learning everything from the beginning.
Besides transmitting the knowledge of Buddhadharma, a teacher also
bestows blessings, enabling one to absorb the knowledge and develop
the wisdom. These two keys are essential to the success of doing
practice.
My own secret is: ever since taking refuge, whenever I have a free
moment, I chant mantras and enter into stability. I rarely waste
time. Ordinarily, when I am in the True Buddha Building, I will
be working in my office taking care of business or giving spiritual
consultations; or I will be conducting ceremonies, giving my time
to the sentient beings. When I go home, the first thing I do is
to sit down to meditate and chant mantras. After dinner, I go back
to do the practice. I don't watch television, read newspapers, listen
to radios, or chat. I only talk when I am giving a teaching. When
I am not talking, I chant mantras. Whenever I have time, I meditate.
I meditate even when I sleep. I devote myself totally to the way
of spiritual practice.
The more ploughing and weeding, the better the crops. If one wants
to succeed in cultivation, one has to spend time and energy to work
hard to cultivate an interest. Doing practice is a very happy thing.
When one experiences the Dharma Taste, there will be peace in one's
body and mind, and harmony and smooth sailing in one's dealings
with other people. Doing a session of practice attentively and conscientiously
can generate infinite pleasure.
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