Ven. Shi Ruyuan's Awakening (2025-12-07)

Ven. Shi Ruyuan: Since this physical body of mine temporarily left my master these past days, my thoughts have never been separated from my master, and I can often feel my master's power of blessing. Each time I hear my master's stern teachings, compassionately instructing this disciple to cast off lazy thinking and open up my dull mind, I am moved to tears of gratitude. I constantly remind myself to quickly cultivate the wisdom of worldly dharmas, to do meaningful things for sentient beings, and also to further increase transcendent wisdom, so as to benefit and bring joy to all sentient beings, helping them leave suffering and attain liberation.

Why do I say that my progress came from my master's blessing? Because on the very first night after I had just left my master, just as I was about to fall asleep, a clear voice said to me: When will you put your effort to good use? The tone of voice was just like my master's. Two days later, in a dream, another voice reminded me: Red flag overhead, cannon fire underfoot—not a single one can escape. When I woke up, I felt this content had nothing to do with the Buddha-dharma, so I did not take it to heart. Then, just as I was about to fall asleep again, another clear voice reminded me: Traveling ten thousand miles, walking ten thousand roads, logical thinking is very important; once the principles are thoroughly understood... These words woke me up, and afterward I could not fall asleep. I felt that the content of these words seemed to be what my master had often taught me: to learn some worldly wisdom, and not to keep entering meditative concentration doing nothing—for one who does not benefit sentient beings is unworthy of the identity of a bodhisattva.

That is why I awoke as if from a dream and realized that the wisdom of the mind consciousness is also very important—it can be aware of all dharmas and discern all dharmas. When the mind consciousness's wisdom increases to a certain degree, it will transform into the wondrous wisdom of keen discernment. If one wishes to be a bodhisattva who benefits sentient beings, how could one be called a qualified bodhisattva if one extinguished the mind consciousness and refused to use it? Master, everything you have said is correct. Only now does this disciple realize the importance of worldly wisdom. Using worldly wisdom to benefit sentient beings is extremely important—how could it be extinguished and left unused? I am grateful to you, Master; each time you compassionately awaken this disciple.