The Teachings of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

If you constantly return the light to reflect upon yourself and observe your nature, you will bring forth the Paramita of Wisdom. These acts establish your merit. Apply the Paramita of Wisdom widely at all times and in all places, and transform it ceaselessly. Don't be defiled by or attached to anything. Refrain from doing any profane and immortal thing. This is virtue.

People who believe in Buddhism should not be superstitious; instead, we should eradicate and simply to believe things without question, believing whatever others say and thus become confused.

Buddhism is within all space, and it fills the Dharma realm. All living beings have the Buddha nature, thus all can become Buddhas. You do not believe in Buddhism now-in future you will. If in the futire you do not, you will in the next life. Not only will you believe in Buddhism, you can become a Buddha.

In reciting mantras, one should so recite that the mantra flows out of one's mind and return to one's mind. The mantra mind and the mind mantra-the mantra and the mind are united in sound after sound and are never apart from each other. One is reciting, yet not reciting; one is reciting, yet constantly recitng.

Do not harbor animosity even towards the demons; treat them as good and wise advisors who aid you in cultivation.

If you don't harbor any thought of fighting, then you cut off connectios with the realm of Asuras. If you are not greedy, then you cut off connections with the animals realm.

Sincerely reciting the Buddha's name is to constantly concentrate one's mind on the recitation without any false thinking or desire to eat and drink. Reciting to the point where everything is forgotten is true mindfulness of the Buddha.

If you lie, then no matter what mantra you recite, it won't be efficacious. Nor will any Sutra you recite have efficacy. If you want to be able to recite mantras or recite Sutras and obtain a respond or have some accomplishment, then you cannot lie. Be honest and speak true and actual words, not false or frivolous words.

Why do some people fail to make progess in their practice? Because they have told too many lies. When you utter one false sentence, a hundred false thoughts arise.

Do not be greedy for anything at all. Know contentment and be patient. This is the unsurpassed wonderful Dharma, that is, alas, neglected by all. By not fighting and not being greedy one will have boundless blessings and a long life.If you contend, are greedy, and are always inviting trouble, then you will incur many karmic offences. Even if you wanted to leave the Triple Realm there would be no way for you to do so.

I have a very strange temperament. What others want, I don't want. What others crave, I don't crave. What others like, I don't like.

People who are greedy are never happy. If they are not greedy, they will be happy. Therefore, we should put an end to greed.

How many people have ruined their health and reputation because they gave rise to greed? How many people have ruined their countries and families because of it? This is something that harms people. We cannot fail to be on our guard!

In cultivation you should apply effort naturally. Don't be greedy and ask whether there is any efficacy or good results. Don't think about anything; just keep applying effort and changing your faults every day.

If someone who studies Buddha-dharma does not uphold precepts, that person is like a bottle with a hole in the bottom. The water leaks out as soon as it is filled. If one can uphold precepts, one will gradually obtain a state of outflows (Anasrava).

Eating a vegetarian diet reqiures that you suffer a loss when you are alive, because you cannot satisfy your palate. But if you are not a vegetarian and eat a lot of meat, after your death you will have to settle your accounts before the Kings of Hells.

Studying the Buddha-dharma is learning not to irritate others or to bring others harm. Therefore Buddhist must eat vegetarian food because eating meat harms other lives.

You should vigorously uphold precepts in places where people can't see. You should not only make progress in front of people, or uphold precepts in front of people. Instead, you should forge ahead vigorously and uphold precepts when you are alone all by yourself as well.

People of noble and virtuous are limited neither by position nor age. With quiet speech and silent actions, they just naturally project a character and personality that people respect. Such a character and personality do not evoke fear in others. Fear would make people stay away from them. Theirs is an air that commands respect, not fear.

Whoever studies Buddhism must make vows, because the power of vows can spur you to advance toward the proper Way. Vows prevent you from going astray. But if vows are not put into pratice, they're just like blossoms on an ornamental tree that doesn't bear fruit-they're useless.

To endure suffering puts an end to suffering, but to enjoy blessings uses up blessings.

A cultivator has to protect his purity as he protects his eyes, which cannot tolerate a single grain of sand.

Every teacher sets example with his own conduct. They are honest and self-respecting and they pass their wisdom and aspirations onto the next generation. They do not fight for pay raises or go on strike.

As long as there's a single person who wants to hear me speak the Dharma, I will speak. Even if no humans are listening, I will still lecture to the ghosts, to the spirits and to all supernatural beings.

Everyone should speak frankly more often. Even if you are beaten or scolded for it, you still want to speak the truth. Don't be afraid. Let me tell you, I'm a straightforward person. I'm someone who establishes his life in straightforwardness and doesn't seek upon the crooked. If they want to punish me, they can go ahead; it doesn't matter. If you punish me for telling the truth, I will still think it's worth it and I won't hold a grudge against you. In cultivation, don't insist that other people believe whatever I say. Even if they don't believe it, I will have tried my best.

When we have the ability, we should hurry up and benefit others. As it is said, "foster the ground of the mind and nurture the sky of the nature." If we constantly benefit others, in time we will come to have virtuous conduct. If we always ask others to benefit ourselves, but we do not benefit others; if we always look for bargains and develop the habit of being dependent on others, then we are totally spineless.

Worldly people busily run around, always on the go. Their motives is always selfish--they want to protect their own life and property. The Buddhadharma is public-spirited and unselfish--its purpose is to benefit others.