How to Engage in Right Practice Effectively

After the initial stage of learning and absorbing the Dharma principles everywhere, one enters the formal stage of cultivation for advancement. At this stage, the direction and steps of practice should be clear and unambiguous. One no longer engages in miscellaneous studies nor scatters the mind seeking external conditions, but instead focuses single-mindedly on the path, with firm resolve in the Way. The daily practice should include the following:

1. Persist in reciting the Śūraṅgama Mantra for two hours daily. It can be recited in all four dignified postures while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Recite slowly, prioritizing quality over quantity. Quality means mental stability, single-mindedness, emptiness, and freedom from distraction or dullness. It can be recited during seated meditation, before sleep, or while performing tasks. Continue this until the state "up to but not including the state of dhyāna" (未到地定) arises, enabling one to concentrate fully on contemplation and investigation of Dharma principles without interference or obstacles. If obstacles are encountered during contemplation, resume reciting the Śūraṅgama Mantra. Why recite it this way? Because the Śūraṅgama Mantra possesses immense blessing power. It purifies precept observance, enhances meditative concentration, increases wisdom, guides one onto the correct path of practice, prevents interference from demonic obstacles, and ensures smooth progress in cultivation.

2. Maintain a regular schedule of seated meditation for at least two hours each morning and evening. During this time, one may sit with an empty mind, recite the Śūraṅgama Mantra, or contemplate Dharma principles, depending on one's actual physical and mental sensations and condition. Additionally, strive to maintain mental stability and purity during all daily activities, diligently separating from external states, not clinging to them, not being turned by them, and reducing afflictions.

3. Study Dharma principles and contemplate their meaning, allowing the Dharma principles to become clear, comprehensive, and integrated. Compare them with one's body, mind, and the world, fuse them with experienced states, and ensure that principle (理) and practice (事) are combined without separation.

4. Engage in regular repentance. Generate the Bodhisattva vows, cultivate practices that benefit oneself and others, nurture the Bodhisattva nature, and foster the Bodhisattva's compassionate mind and actions toward sentient beings. Perform acts of giving (dāna) daily, combining the three types: material giving (財施), Dharma giving (法施), and giving of fearlessness (無畏施). Material giving is widely understood and will not be discussed here. Regarding Dharma giving: although one may not yet have realized the Way at this stage and wisdom may still be insufficient to liberate sentient beings, the Dharma principles are clear at the conscious level. One can opportunistically introduce and explain them to those with affinity and foundation, share the correct Dharma principles one has studied, and guide sentient beings onto the right path. Giving of fearlessness means physically and actively relieving others' suffering and fear, helping them overcome difficulties, doing meaningful things for sentient beings, benefiting and bringing joy to them, without seeking reward.

Superficially, it seems that sentient beings benefit from these actions. However, in reality, the tathāgatagarbha (如來藏) faithfully records all your mental actions and deeds, storing them as seeds. When these seeds bear fruit in the future, the greatest beneficiary is ultimately yourself. Selflessly serving sentient beings ultimately results in self-benefit, yielding the greatest merit. Wise individuals should be "selfish" in this way and care for themselves thus.