INTROSPECTION

It is useless just looking at the enlightened Master without introspecting yourself! Probe into your own dark spots, the suspicions, the mistakes, and the aspects covered by your ego. Only then can you see your inner Master!

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Each time we take any action, we reflect what God thinks of our action. If what we are doing pleases God, then it is righteous.

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If we become delighted and arrogant when people praise us and offer us temptations, then that is very dangerous. On each one of these occasions, we must promptly introspect, and ask: "Did I use the ego in performing the act just now? Was I overjoyed or arrogant?" We must introspect every day.

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All of you should reflect and quickly rectify your faults, if any. If you do not rectify it today, you have to do it tomorrow or the day after anyway. The longer you delay, the more serious the trouble, because the interest multiplies. The bad habit will become strong and entrenched, then it will become more difficult for us to eradicate.

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A perfect person knows his good points and shortcomings. He subdues the shortcomings, puts them aside or controls them properly, to be used only when necessary. The good points he will continue to develop, to benefit others and himself. Such is a perfect person.

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When you observe any goodness in yourself, develop it. When you observe any bad points in yourself, rectify them. Look at the positive aspects. It is not enough to just rely on meditation alone.

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Anything that is wrong will remain wrong a hundred years later, if you do not rectify it. It won't become right just because you do not see it. Therefore, we must correct our mistakes. Just like when you are wearing clothing inside out, no matter where you are, wouldn't you try to wear it the correct way round? You cannot say that since you have been wearing it this way, and have traveled a hundred kilometers, "Why bother changing now?" If you don't change it, it will remain inside out.

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The heart is important, not the superficial actions. Many people pursue spiritual practice, but some say, "I have practiced so arduously, yet I have gotten nothing in return." Possibly they have not been sincere enough. We should not blame God, we should not lose faith in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, nor should we doubt our Master. Instead, we should introspect to see whether we have any places or knots that have not been untied. If we have great sincerity, all results will come to us. Even when sometimes we think we are not sincere, still we have to persist in practicing, and rectify it bit by bit. One day the world will give us the sincerity. Sometimes, we are ill, we are in agony, in pain or in a bad mood - all these unhappy situations will wake us up. Therefore, we still have hope.

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To be honest to yourself means to be honest to everyone.

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Comfort yourself, then everyone is comforted, if you feel comfortable, then everyone feels comfortable. It is the greatest meritorious offering.

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Be frank with yourself. Be careful, otherwise you will be cheated day after day. It is like the patients who don't know, and refuse to believe that they are ill. We pursue spiritual practice for ourselves, not for gaining the other's respect.

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We should be aware of where our illness lies. Others may be able to correct us several times, but we must know where our illness is, and save ourselves quickly. If we cannot save ourselves, then consult books, or find someone to help us, instead of doing nothing. If our fault is not rectified, we have to come back next time, with or without following an enlightened Master. It is because we cannot forsake that corner, and keep clinging to it, using it as a weapon to make things difficult for others or to win their attention. Then, we have to come back!