Venerable Master Chengde Visits Mituo Village

Venerable Master Chengde Visits Mituo Village and Gives a Dharma Talk

On May 14, the spring weather was bright and beautiful.

The rain from the previous day had cleared away, and sunlight filled Mituo Village. The sky was clear, the trees and grass lush and green, and the entire village radiated peace and joy.

That day, Venerable Master Chengde and Venerable Master Ade visited Amitabha Village. Everyone gathered early in the Buddha Recitation Hall to respectfully welcome the masters.

After entering the hall, the masters first paid homage to the Buddha and then warmly greeted the lotus friends present. The atmosphere was solemn yet warm, and everyone welcomed this rare and auspicious affinity with reverence and joy.

Walking Together Through Mituo Village in Spring

Afterward, everyone shared a vegetarian meal together.

Following lunch, Venerable Master Chengde happily took a walk around Mituo Village. From the dining hall to the Buddha Recitation Hall, the group passed by the Seven-Jewel Lotus Pond, Guanyin Plaza, the Outdoor Activity Center, and other areas. Everyone accompanied the master in appreciating the village’s natural scenery while introducing the recent developments and construction of the village.

In springtime, Mituo Village was full of vitality and life. Walking together through the village, everyone felt filled with Dharma joy.

 

Tea Gathering and Compassionate Teachings

In the afternoon, everyone sat together to drink tea and exchange thoughts.

Venerable Master Chengde gave compassionate teachings in a gentle and sincere manner, with every word touching people deeply. The master shared many practical and beneficial teachings concerning Pure Land cultivation, family education, traditional culture, and the cultivation challenges faced by modern people.

The master mentioned that Amitabha Village is not only a place for collective cultivation, but also a “training ground for Buddhas,” long advocated by Elder Master Chin Kung.

Learning Buddhism is not merely about seeking peace and smoothness in life; more importantly, it is about making rebirth in the Pure Land and attaining Buddhahood to help sentient beings the direction of one’s life.

Precepts as the Foundation, Pure Land as the Return

Seeing the four phrases from Master Ouyi’s Inscription for the Pure Land Society printed on the volunteers’ uniforms:

“Take precepts as the foundation,
Take the Pure Land as the destination,
Take observing the mind as essential,
Take virtuous friends as reliance.”

Venerable Master Chengde explained that these four lines summarize the essence of Pure Land practice.

Cultivation is not separate from daily life; rather, it means truly applying mindfulness within life itself.

True Buddha Recitation Means Keeping the Buddha in One’s Heart

Speaking about Buddha recitation, the master especially reminded everyone:

Reciting the Buddha’s name is not merely moving one’s lips; more importantly, the Buddha must truly be in one’s heart.

The master said that the same mind used in dealing with people is also the mind used in Buddha recitation. If one is habitually harsh, selfish, or quick-tempered, then even if one recites many Buddha names, it is difficult to truly resonate with the Buddha.

Ancient masters said:

“If the mouth recites Amitabha while the mind is scattered,
Even shouting oneself hoarse is futile.”

Elder Master Chin Kung once explained the Chinese character for “mindful remembrance” (念): it consists of “now” above “heart,” meaning that at this very moment, Amitabha Buddha is truly in the heart.

Therefore, work can be Buddha recitation, interacting with others can be Buddha recitation, and daily life itself can be Buddha recitation.

True Buddha recitation is not something apart from life; it is placing the Buddha in one’s heart in every thought and every interaction.

Rooting Education Is the Foundation of Spiritual Practice

The Dharma Master also spoke specifically about the importance of foundational education.

Many modern people find learning Buddhism difficult. One important reason is that the foundation of traditional culture has been lost.

The Master reminded everyone that:

  • Standards for Being a Good Student and Child (Dizigui)
  • Treatise on Response and Retribution (Taishang Ganying Pian)
  • The Sutra of the Ten Virtuous Deeds (Ten Good Deeds Sutra)

These are not worldly teachings unrelated to cultivation; they are the very foundation of spiritual practice.

In the Meditation Sutra (Contemplation Sutra on Amitayus), before the Buddha introduces the Pure Land, he first explains the “Three Blessings of Pure Karma,” teaching us that if we wish to be reborn in the Pure Land, we must first establish a solid moral foundation in how we conduct ourselves.

Educating Children Is Not About Reproducing Success

When discussing family education, the Master’s words were especially touching.

Many parents are enthusiastic about traditional culture and hope their children will learn Buddhism and the teachings of the sages. However, when methods are applied too forcefully, children may instead feel pressured.

The Master humorously remarked that some parents hope to raise their child to become “someone like Master Jing Kong,” but the child may not necessarily become Master Jing Kong — perhaps they may become Master Hong Yi instead.

Every child has a different nature.

True education is not about copying one model of success, but about helping children discover their own path.

Wherever Bodhisattvas Are, They Bring Joy to All Beings

The Master reminded everyone:

“Wherever a Bodhisattva is, all beings should give rise to joy.”

If children feel pressure, fear, or resistance the moment they encounter Buddhism, then we need to reflect on our own approach.

The Dharma is originally warm and compassionate. It should not become a source of tension for family members.

The Master also especially reminded parents:

When you are angry, do not teach your children.

Because when people are emotional, what appears to be education is often actually emotional release.

True wise education is understanding and caring for the child’s heart, rather than oppressing them with anxiety, control, or concerns about saving face.

Cultivation Is Constantly Retraining the Mind

Regarding the afflictions encountered in practice, the Master also gave everyone much encouragement.

Many people wonder: “Why do I still give rise to afflictions after studying Buddhism for so many years? Why can’t I control my emotions better?”

The Master frankly explained that this is because our habitual tendencies run very deep.

The inertia of decades of afflictions cannot completely disappear within a few months. Reciting the Buddha’s name, listening to sutras, and reading sutras every day are all ways of retraining the mind.

The Master reminded everyone:

Do not underestimate the power of daily Buddha-recitation and listening to the teachings.

Many times, we have already improved compared to the past — we simply have not noticed it ourselves.

True humility is recognizing one’s shortcomings while continuing to strive forward, rather than constantly denying oneself. If we continually think, “Why am I so bad?” or “Why do I still have afflictions?” we may gradually lose confidence in cultivation.

True Security Comes from Faith in Amitabha Buddha

The Master also spoke about how modern people most lack a sense of security.

Society changes too quickly, and people’s hearts easily become unsettled. As a result, people try to control others, cling tightly to relationships and wealth, and fear loss.

But true security does not come from external circumstances; it comes from faith in Amitabha Buddha.

As long as we truly trust in the Buddha’s name and believe in the Pure Land, life gradually becomes more stable and peaceful. Because we know that no matter what we experience in this lifetime, there is ultimately the Pure Land to which we may return.

Do Not Turn Buddhism into Pressure

Finally, the Master compassionately reminded everyone:

Do not turn Buddhism into a source of pressure.

After learning Buddhism, do family members feel more at ease? Are children more willing to draw close to us? Do people around us feel warmth because of us?

These are important measures of spiritual practice.

True Buddhism is not merely being able to speak about principles, but allowing others to feel the warmth of the Dharma.

A person with genuine cultivation may not speak many profound teachings, but after others interact with them, they feel more at ease, gentler, more hopeful, and more willing to approach the Dharma.

That is what it truly means to live the Dharma.

Filled with Dharma Joy, A Group Photo to Commemorate the Occasion

The day’s visit concluded perfectly in an atmosphere filled with Dharma joy.

Finally, everyone took commemorative photos together with Venerable Chengde and Venerable Ade, preserving this precious karmic affinity as a treasured memory.

Gathering together in spring is a rare and precious condition.

Deep gratitude to Venerable Chengde and Venerable Ade for compassionately visiting, and gratitude to everyone for jointly contributing to this meaningful occasion.

May we all bring today’s teachings and reflections into our daily lives — finding peace in Buddha-recitation, cultivating our hearts in how we treat others, and continuously growing together with virtuous companions.

May Mituo Village become a pure place of practice where more people can peacefully recite the Buddha’s name, draw close to the Dharma, and cultivate and learn together.

May this Dharma joy and warmth of spring remain in the hearts of every lotus friend for a long time.