Quote of The Day (184)
This section contains short teachings extracted from the messages that Sifu Kuan Ming received over the years, since 1979. The quotes contained herein are a collection of the daily quotes for your contemplation.
Develop the habit of sitting in self-analysis and seeing your faults clearly, then make an honest effort to correct yourself. Avoiding the truth will only hold you back, and peace of mind can never be attained.
Covering up your faults and guilt is easy; being honest in knowing oneself is indeed difficult! Learn to speak well of others, or at least refrain from discussing their faults. Peace of mind cannot be attained when there is anger, hatred, envy, or ill-will towards others. Practise good-will!
26-Feb-1983 (2)
Honestly reflect in deep contemplation upon your own character. Recognise your faults and seek ways to correct yourself. Seek the truth that can be found within your own mind. Seek not to know worldly things or matters that are speculative in nature. Seek to know yourself.
To call upon Me is to have the desire to practise what I represent. To call upon Me is to invite Me into your heart and mind. To call upon Me and expect a response, you must be one who is honest, noble, righteous and compassionate. Only those who have practised and attained equanimity of mind can truly be useful for Me. Therefore, look within. Seek first to know your mind before seeking anything else.
26-Feb-1983 (1)
Om Mani Padme Hum are mystical sounds of six syllables. Reciting this mantra formula without any pure intention for the well-being of others, without the motivation to use it to purify one’s heart and mind, and without any specific purpose will render the recitation useless. But when one places great faith in these sacred sounds, when one treats this mantra as a means of bringing help to the suffering ones, even a single utterance will bring about immeasurable benefits to one and all.
11-Jun-1983 (1)
Calmness of mind is what I have taught you. Humility and understanding must also be practiced, loving kindness and selfless acts are to be performed, and the unfolding of your compassionate nature is your goal. Serve without expecting any kind of reward, wishing only to see others living in happiness; that is the cultivation of loving kindness. However, the mind changes, and a person’s purpose also changes constantly. Therefore, the greatest thing that you must watch is your own changing self—the inherent ego. That is why you must cultivate every moment of the day. From moment to moment, you must be aware, and great patience must be exercised. It takes a long time for a seed to grow into a tree.
17-Sep-1983 (1)
Things do not remain static; everything in the world is in a state of flux. As you progress, you will be guided towards work that is in accordance with your ability. All you need to do is to be very sincere in the tasks before you. You will act and respond to each situation naturally, keeping your mind calm and steady. This ensures you remain humble and kind, for you have seen enough suffering to bring about the realisation that the Four Noble Truths are not merely teachings, but realities to be reflected upon and understood.
6-Jun-1983 (1)
Be charitable to all. Give what is necessary to those who are in need without much thought attached to the giving, and say a prayer for them. Pray that in the near future, they will no longer be in need, but will also be able to give, just as you give. This is the kind of giving that you must cultivate, so that there will be no cause for you to look back at any action as a gift, or as a help or favour.
2-Apr-1983 (2)
Wishing all a very blessed Kuan Yin Festive Day and a very happy 47th Anniversary!
Behold, a beautiful day awaits you! Let there be joy and no envy in the hearts of all those who worship Me, who walk the Buddha’s Path. Instead, let there be joy that others have acquired that which you have not gained. Be happy that others are happy, and the true meaning of worship will be felt.
There must be sincerity, there must be joy in the heart, and there must be purity of mind. The white dress you are wearing represents the qualities of the Self-Nature that you are to develop for the rest of your life. After attaining them at any point in life, maintain them, so that the Kuan Yin spirit may dwell upon your heart. Om Mani Padme Hum!
2-Apr-1983 (1)
Let there be health so that you may continue to do My work. Even though there may be pains, expect it as natural and erase silly fears from your mind. Work instead towards good health, which must be cared for by yourself, as only you can abuse it by careless living. This is the way to live—healthily—so that you may find more joy in facing each new day!
2-Apr-1983 (3)
Humility is the way of service. Practise contemplation to look into the true nature of things, so that all ignoble thoughts are removed, so that fantasy no longer rules the mind, and so that you are aware that you do not possess the power to heal as you might wish. Rather, it is your kindness and gentle care that provide the best medicine. Your faith in Me shall cause you to act for the well-being of these suffering ones. As long as you act with faith and devotion, and truly care for their well-being, you will have done your best, and the rest shall be left to Me.
4-May-1983 (2)
Hurt a being, and you will set in motion a chain reaction; in the end, you will only hurt yourself. That is the way to view life. With this new understanding in your heart, treat all beings with tenderness. Do not allow harshness to be present in the tone of your voice, no matter how much you have gone through.
All these people have come not for fun, nor out of curiosity, but out of faith. You must, therefore, reflect My nature and My qualities by practising the virtues of patience and the like, so that they can see in you what is expected of you.
4-May-1983 (1)
Accept difficulties as part of strengthening your endurance, although this does not necessarily mean that all problems and difficulties are meant to be so. Read and listen to Dharma, and sit in contemplation so as to gain a better understanding. Gradually your understanding will improve. Persevere with mental calmness and a peaceful disposition to create a new environment for your cultivation. You must not waste precious moments whenever you are in the right state to better yourself.
23-May-1983 (1)
Hold your head high each time you are in a state of fear. Keep your eyes wide open even though your heart is pounding and you feel the sensation of fear enveloping you. Be ready to face that which causes fear, drawing strength out of your faith in Me. Call out My Name, say the prayer that you have for Me, and see how easy it is to overcome fear, and how silly you have been to entertain such negative thoughts. Only when fear has been removed can you really be of good help to others, and only then can you truly serve Me well.
21-May-1983 (1)
It is not easy to walk the Path towards a better future. Much effort and work must be put forth, and patience must be cultivated. To develop a good and wholesome character will take years of cultivation; to become one without any good trait requires no effort at all. It is entirely up to your mind to decide what state it should be!
10-May-1982 (2)
It is good to take up the practice of quiet sitting and enter a state of contemplation and meditation. With determination and steady effort, you will one day enter such a state without any difficulty, and that is when you will truly enjoy the fruits of mental awakening. As you continue, a new world will await you, and you will realise that everything is in the mind and begins in the mind.
By spending time in contemplation and meditation to understand the realities and pains of life, you will begin to see it all clearly. As you look further within, you will discover the true meaning of life and existence—this is Wisdom!
7-May-1982 (2), 30-May-1983 (2)
The mind must be set free, and there should be no desire for any power, gain, or fame. The best thing to do is to force yourself to practise meditation on love for other beings—on their happiness and on their well-being. This is the way to discipline yourself and let your merits be shared by all. This is the way to reach the inner you so that an understanding of the self-nature is realised. It will be difficult to sit and sit, and to attain a pure mind, but there is no easier method available. Sit and think; sit and avoid thinking; and sit and be aware of the working of the mind. All these exercises must be practised and mastered before there can be any real attainment.
10-May-1982 (1)
Those who have not attempted meditation or have made only feeble attempts will not know what they have missed in life. Consequently, wisdom remains unreachable, and the opportunity of having a human form to cultivate will be wasted. All wise men and sages meditate, and there is good reason why they do so. But they are not able to reveal all that they have discovered, because they know that only those deserving ones will take up this practice when their conditions ripen, when their minds are ready for unfoldment, and when they are led to seek the Truth.
7-May-1982 (2)
Be certain of what you take up, and do not try to perform the impossible. Greed must be rejected; otherwise, envy will surface. In the course of your search, desire will again be strengthened and the original purpose will be lost. It is best to acquire calmness of both body and mind so that actions will not be rash and speech will be controlled. With a clear understanding of the pitfalls that abound, walk with care, purpose, and dedication, finding satisfaction in the progress made to realise contentment.
28-Apr-1984 (3)
One’s spiritual search must be slow and steady so that expectations do not become unreasonable. Patience is the basic requirement, and wisdom must be acquired through vigorous training. Faith is essential—in oneself, in the chosen Path, and most of all, in the chosen Deity as the guide and teacher. Steady progress is the best approach, making it easier for the mind to keep pace. Avoid shortcuts to any goal in life, because the chances of success are lower.
28-Apr-1984 (2)
For those who wish to develop spiritual wealth, there can be no shortcuts, nor can miseries be passed on to others. Because the seeker must be a benevolent being who purifies himself through wholesome acts that benefit others, and because he must also discard materialism to truly appreciate spiritualism, he must walk a Path that requires detachment. Thus, he gives away the physical in order to seek the spiritual, which is invisible. 28-Apr-1984 (1)
The paths to purity are countless, and as each path will lead one to extinguish the earthly existence of sufferings, the paths to liberation are also countless. The teachings I have given you in messages are of no use unless you understand them and practise them as guiding principles of living. Look at others with love and understanding, help in any manner you can, and do not judge others. Understand their nature, cultivate patience and humility, and ensure that all your thoughts, words, and deeds are beneficial to others!
8-Apr-1984 (2)
Prayers must be recited constantly so that the natural flow of words will no longer be an effort—the prayer becomes you and you become part of the prayer. This is good!
When one is able to become the prayer itself, there is no need for the mind to recall each word. It is just a flow of sounds which are meant to be worthy of being offered to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; it is a constant emergence of sounds of devotion, of love, of dedication, and of practice, and these sounds are to be able to penetrate the spiritual realms. With this capability, the mind has no thoughts to dwell upon. The state of praying becomes a prayer itself, and those who can succeed become the very vibrations of consistency and calmness. It will be a flow of divine energy that lingers on, making it natural to fall into prayer at any moment!
25-May-1984 (1)
There is no need to wonder whether you are doing the right things or not. You will know when things are not right, but what is there to expect? Just make sure that you are living each day with right aspirations and right practice. Good and bad days become just another day of cultivation for you when your mind is calm. You will only see the fruition of good and bad karma, but you will not be affected; you remain calm!
21-May-1984 (3)
Each night before you retire, sit a while and try to recall the activities of the day from the moment of arising from bed. It will not be easy to recall the day’s activities, but you must not give up easily. You must not become aggravated when you get stuck and draw blanks frequently. That is how the average mind is; that is why people become forgetful, because they lack awareness and have a clouded mind. Sitting in contemplation or reflection, one begins to put the mind in order, set up a system, and begin the process of clearing the mind.
21-May-1984 (2)
The past has much to tell, but how many can recall the past? How many are able to benefit from the experiences of the past? Don’t you wish that you could have such a clear memory that you could recall the past? Practise reflection then. Practise it daily, and with patience towards yourself.
21-May-1984 (1)
The purpose of this Order is to bring spiritual awakening and bliss to the minds of many; it is a noble task and a simple one. Do not allow others to bring complications to it. This Order provides the foundation of practice for beginners. Those who come and stay will find cultivation easy and pleasant—because there is no complication, no ulterior motive in Kuan Yin’s plan for you. Those who are sincere in their practice here should be able to feel greater calmness in life and should find it easy to understand whenever they attend Dharma gatherings.
This Order seeks ‘no publicity' and must not seek others to bring their friends to participate in its activities. It promises no special help to anyone—only those who have an affinity with Kuan Shih Yin P’usa will find their way here. You can change your way; you cannot change this Order. Om Sari Hum!
18-May-1984 (1-1 to 1-6)
Accept the challenges that lie ahead, and learn to see the hollowness and emptiness of all difficult situations. With a clear mind and a stout heart, with love and determination, brave the bad weather courageously, and soon the fine weather will prevail. When all is over, where are your fears and pains? Where are your doubts and complaints? They are all gone! Emptiness! All are nothing but a dream, the illusions of the mind that must be purified. The fruits of these tests will be lasting faith and clear wisdom, which one must offer to others who need them!
16-May-1984 (3)
The most important stage of cultivation is when things always go wrong while you are practising with the greatest effort! For those who are able to continue, a brighter future awaits them. They have gone through the mills; they are the experienced ones. They have seen suffering, faced it with courage, and emerged as conquerors! All Bodhisattvas must be conquerors—must have gone through many, many trials in each lifetime, must have conquered them, must have placed faith in the Dharma and in themselves. They are the proven ones, the skillful ones who can truly help others! Do you aspire to become a Bodhisattva?
16-May-1984 (2)
Progress in spiritual cultivation cannot be measured, and it must not be measured. There are no physical signs that one has made any attainment, though a subtle improvement in one’s attitude may be felt or observed. The Way to Purification is slow and long. Patience must be exercised, or it will be impossible to keep at it.
What kind of reward does one expect from practising goodness? If there is a desire for heavenly rewards, if there is any kind of bargaining for the effort expected, then there has been no cultivation. In such a case, the mind’s understanding will not be clear; it is only the building up of the Ego. It is the lowest level of cultivation—the pursuit of self-gratification. It is base, and it is ignoble!
16-May-1984 (1)
The purpose of life is to utilise the mind—to make it alert and wise, to polish away its stains, and to make it mirror-bright! Each day, spend time alone with yourself, with your mind, and relate yourself to your mind. This is a great exercise, a healthy exercise, one that will bring you the greatest wealth: the happy mind that is wise!
12-May-1984 (5)
The way to achieve a future happy state begins with the present moment. Whether one is awakened to the way to practise which will ensure that the future will be better, whether the mind can be calmer, whether life goals can be attained or not, depend solely on the state of mind in this moment. Is happiness in life possible with wealth or health, or wealth and health? You have to carefully analyse what life means to you and decide, once and for all, what it is that you want out of this life.
If it is health that you seek, be prepared to work for good health; if it is wealth, it may not be so simple, but it is still attainable; if it is both health and wealth that you are seeking, then you must be prepared for harder work and greater effort—but they are still attainable for many. Would a life of health and wealth be what you want out of life? Then go ahead and work your way towards getting them. But consider again whether this is truly all that makes up the recipe for a happy life.
12-May-1984 (4)
Emotions must be rid of; empty yourself of all kinds of emotions that will lead to attachments. Follow the Way of the Buddha, walk the Path of Kuan Shih Yin, and be concerned with—but not immersed in—the problems of all. When you can do this, you will have a calm mind which will be beneficial to one and all, and this life will have been gainfully lived because others benefited from you. Do your part then; reach out to those who seek a hand of comfort.
That is the only way that one can learn. You too must learn your own life’s lessons and be ready to live for all. Let your heart be with the world; let there be no selfishness, but generosity. Om Sari Hum!
7-May-1984 (9)