Yesterday, a layperson asked, “Why are people so scattered these days? What will become of this country in the future?”

    Shuangyin told him not to worry—just be true to yourself. Everything will turn out all right. The human heart is the heart of the Dao; if there is no Dao, there is no heart. If a person devotes themselves wholeheartedly to the Dao, their heart will naturally remain focused. However, don’t concern yourself with whether people’s hearts are inclined toward goodness; as long as your own heart is first and foremost devoted to the Dao, that is enough.

    How many truly seek the Way? Even among so-called Buddhist practitioners, very few are actually seeking the Way; most are merely seeking blessings and cannot even be called those who have attained self-liberation. They do nothing but seek blessings while continuing to create karma. They are so deeply ensnared in this that they cannot extricate themselves, yet they claim to be practicing Buddhism. 

    Therefore, as disciples of the Buddha, we must lead by example and start with ourselves. Ask fewer questions and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the Path!

    Confucianism also has its own concept of the “Dao”; for example, the phrase “illuminating the Dao to save the world” refers to the bodhicitta—that is, liberating all sentient beings! It is the same thing. In the past, the Chinese sought to align everything with the Dao and dared not do anything that strayed from it; today, however, people have lost this tradition, so they no longer care about the Dao or anything of the sort. All they value is immediate gain—only what serves their own interests matters. This “gain” is purely self-serving; without it, they won’t even get out of bed in the morning. Although this is quite tragic, we must still try to understand it.

    This helps us understand why, in the past, there were martyrs who remained loyal to the end, even unto death! Why, then, are so many today mere slaves to alcohol, lust, wealth, and ambition? Whether they are billionaires whose fortunes rival those of nations or high-ranking officials holding the second-highest rank in the state, are they not all just the same?

    This is the result of the loss of tradition. What exactly is this so-called “tradition” that has been passed down? It is the doctrinal lineage! Because this tradition has been lost—and with it, the doctrinal lineage—people’s hearts are now devoid of the Way!

    If one lacks the Way in one’s heart, even someone in a position of great power and influence is merely an ordinary person—let alone a mere worldly man who is simply well-off. If one has the Way in one’s heart, then that person is a Bodhisattva; as long as one has the Bodhicitta, one is a Bodhisattva—right here and now!

    What is a Bodhisattva? A Bodhisattva is someone who has perfected the human condition. Only a Bodhisattva can devote themselves to all sentient beings—and even sacrifice their own life for them!

    Confucianism refers to such people as “scholars.” “A scholar must be both magnanimous and resolute, for the burden is heavy and the road is long.”

    “Yi” means “righteousness”; “righteousness” means “the Way.” Therefore, the ancient sages spoke of “righteousness reaching the heavens”—meaning that “the Way” is higher than the heavens. Of course, only the “scholar-gentlemen”—that is, bodhisattvas—are capable of achieving “righteousness reaching the heavens,” and such individuals are quite rare today.

    Although it’s rare, it does exist. What sustains this nation is precisely this rare quality: morale! Otherwise, it would have collapsed long ago. Because true sages and true Bodhisattvas dwell in this world, the Saha World is able to endure and persevere. It is the vows of the Bodhisattvas that have brought about this land of bliss, just as Amitabha Buddha’s vows brought about the Western Pure Land.

    The greatest Bodhisattva of our time is the Great Sage Xi Jinping; only a Bodhisattva could possess such a great vow! It is precisely because of the unparalleled vow in his heart—to “illuminate the Way and save the world”—that he possesses innate wisdom and spontaneous wisdom, and is thus able to naturally generate infinite, immeasurable, and boundless great wisdom.

    Morale comes from the hearts of the people. If more people could be of one mind with Great Vow Bodhisattva and unite as one, just imagine how wonderful our country would be!

    This is what is called “the Buddhas of the Ten Directions sharing the same compassionate power”—how sublime and inconceivable!

    When China is doing well, the world is doing well! If China falls into chaos, the world will be in utter disarray. Therefore, reviving traditional Chinese culture is the key to saving the world!

    This is the true meaning of the “Chinese Dream.”