Master Sheng Yen: Building a Pure Land on Earth

Editor's Note

Master Sheng Yen (1930-2009), founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, renowned contemporary Chan master and Buddhist educator. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to Buddhist education, Chan meditation promotion, and cultural development, proposing the vision of "Elevating the quality of human beings, building a Pure Land on Earth." He authored over one hundred works, including Orthodox Buddhism, Questions about Buddhism, and Guide to Chan Meditation, with far-reaching influence. This article is compiled from Master Sheng Yen's writings and teachings.

I. What is a Pure Land on Earth?

Q: Master, you often speak of "building a Pure Land on Earth." What does this mean?

Master Sheng Yen: A Pure Land on Earth means making this world better.

The Pure Land is Not Far Away

Many people think the Pure Land is in the West, in a faraway place, only reachable after death.

I say: The Pure Land is right here, right now.

When your mind is pure, where you are is the Pure Land. When your mind is impure, wherever you go is not the Pure Land.

Building, Not Waiting

The Pure Land is not something to wait for—it's something to build.

When you do one good deed, the world gains one more measure of goodness. When you help one person, the world gains one more measure of warmth.

If everyone does this, the Pure Land on Earth is realized.

Start with Yourself

Building a Pure Land on Earth starts with yourself.

First purify your own mind, rectify your own behavior, make your own speech kind.

One pure person influences those around them; when those around them are pure, they influence more people.

This is building a Pure Land on Earth.

Q: How do we build a Pure Land on Earth?

Master Sheng Yen: I propose four directions:

First: Spiritual Environmental Protection

Now everyone talks about environmental protection, but the most important environmental protection is spiritual.

When your mind is clean, your world will be clean.

Spiritual environmental protection is:

Keeping the mind pure
Not letting greed, anger, and delusion pollute your mind
Constantly reflecting, constantly purifying

Second: Lifestyle Environmental Protection

Lifestyle must also be environmentally friendly.

Live simply, reduce waste, cherish resources.

This isn't about saving money—it's respect for the Earth, responsibility for future generations.

Third: Etiquette Environmental Protection

Interactions between people should have etiquette.

Etiquette isn't formality—it's respect.

When you're polite to others, others are polite to you. When everyone is this way, society becomes harmonious.

Fourth: Natural Environmental Protection

Protecting the natural environment is a Buddhist's responsibility.

When the Buddha was alive, he taught disciples not to harm plants and trees.

Because all things have life, all deserve respect.

II. The Significance of Chan Meditation

Q: Why do you place such importance on Chan meditation?

Master Sheng Yen: Chan meditation is a method for settling the mind.

Modern Minds Are Chaotic

Modern people's biggest problem is chaotic minds.

Too many things, too much information, too many choices.

Your mind is pulled in every direction, never stopping for a moment.

When the mind is chaotic, the person is tired; when the mind is chaotic, the person suffers.

Chan Meditation Settles the Mind

Chan meditation is a method for settling the mind.

Through Chan meditation, your mind can gradually quiet down. When quiet, you can see clearly. When you see clearly, you can make right decisions.

So I say: Chan meditation isn't escaping reality—it's facing reality better.

Benefits of Chan Meditation

Chan meditation has many benefits:

Stress reduction: When the mind is calm, stress naturally decreases
Focus: Better able to concentrate attention
Awareness: More sensitive to your own emotions and thoughts
Wisdom: When the mind is pure, wisdom naturally arises
Compassion: Understanding yourself, you can better understand others

Q: How do we start Chan meditation?

Master Sheng Yen: Start with simple methods.

Counting the Breath

This is the most basic method:

Find a quiet place to sit, back straight
Place attention on the breath
When breathing in, count one; when breathing out, don't count
When breathing in again, count two; when breathing out, don't count
Count all the way to ten, then start over from one

Simple, right?

But you'll find your mind soon wanders, thinking about other things.

That's okay. When you notice it's wandered, come back and continue counting.

Just Sitting

There's another method called "Just Sitting."

Don't count breaths, don't recite Buddha's name, don't do anything.

Just sit, maintaining awareness.

Your mind is like a mirror—reflecting whatever comes, but not being carried away by anything.

This method is simpler, but also harder.

Simple because you don't have to do anything; hard because your mind isn't used to doing nothing.

Chan Meditation Anytime

Chan meditation doesn't have to be in a Chan hall.

When walking, you can meditate. When eating, you can meditate. When washing dishes, you can meditate.

As long as you place attention in the present, whatever you're doing, it's meditation.

III. Facing Suffering

Q: Life always has suffering. How do we face it?

Master Sheng Yen: Suffering is life's teacher.

The Meaning of Suffering

No one likes suffering, but suffering has its meaning.

It makes you grow, makes you mature, makes you think.

Those who sail smoothly through life are often shallow; those who've experienced suffering often have depth.

So don't fear suffering—understand it.

The Four Steps

I propose a method called "The Four Steps":

Face It

When suffering comes, don't escape, don't deny.

Admit it, face it—this is the first step.

Accept It

Since suffering has already come, accept it.

Not accepting doesn't help—it only increases your pain.

Handle It

After accepting, see what can be done.

What can be changed, change; what can't be changed, let go.

Let It Go

After handling it, let it go.

Don't keep thinking about past suffering, or you'll never get out.

Suffering is a Gift

I've experienced much suffering in my life:

Poor family as a child, no money for education
Had to return to lay life due to military service issues after ordaining
Later ordained again
Encountered many difficulties on the path of practice

But all this suffering became my nourishment.

I can help others now largely because I've been through it myself.

Suffering is a very ugly package containing a gift.

Q: What's the greatest suffering you've experienced?

Master Sheng Yen: When I was young, due to war, I had to leave the mainland for Taiwan.

At that time, I lost much:

Left my parents
Lost a stable life
Didn't know what the future held

But it was also during that time that I truly began practicing.

Suffering made me think about life's meaning; suffering made me cherish the present more.

If not for that suffering, perhaps I wouldn't have embarked on the path of sharing the Dharma.

So I say: Suffering isn't punishment—it's a blessing.

IV. The Method of Learning Buddhism

Q: How can ordinary people learn Buddhism?

Master Sheng Yen: Learning Buddhism doesn't need to be complicated—three steps are enough.

First: Right View

Right view means correct understanding.

You first need to understand what Buddhism teaches—don't believe blindly.

Read some basic books, listen to some basic teachings, establish correct understanding.

Second: Right Action

Right action means correct behavior.

Knowing the right principles, practice accordingly.

No killing
No stealing
No sexual misconduct
No false speech
No intoxicants

These Five Precepts are the foundation of learning Buddhism.

You keep them not because you believe in Buddhism, but because keeping them benefits you.

Third: Right Effort

Right effort means persistent striving.

Learning Buddhism isn't a one-time thing—it's a lifetime of practice.

Do a little every day, improve a little every day. Over time, you become accomplished.

Q: Many people find Buddhism too profound. What to do?

Master Sheng Yen: Buddhism isn't profound—it's been made to sound profound.

Explain in Simple Words

When I write and teach, I use the simplest words.

Because Buddhism's essence is simple: to help sentient beings end suffering and find happiness, not to confuse them more.

Experience from Life

Don't separate Buddhism from life.

Every event in your life can be viewed with Buddhist wisdom:

Work not going well? Think about cause and effect
Relationship problems? Think about compassion
Bad mood? Think about impermanence

Buddhism is for using, not just studying.

Don't Rush

Learning Buddhism doesn't require rushing—take it slow.

Understand a little today, a little more tomorrow—in a year, you'll understand a lot.

Fast isn't necessarily good; steady is what matters.

V. Buddhism and Modern Life

Q: Does Buddhism conflict with modern life?

Master Sheng Yen: No conflict—Buddhism integrates well into modern life.

Buddhism is Education

Buddhism isn't about withdrawing from society—it's about living better.

The Buddha is the best teacher; the Dharma is the best textbook.

When you learn Buddhism, you have a guide for life.

Buddhism and Science

Some think Buddhism conflicts with science. No.

Buddhism speaks of causes and conditions; science also speaks of cause and effect. Buddhism speaks of impermanence; science also speaks of change. Buddhism speaks of all phenomena as mind-only; science is also exploring consciousness.

Buddhism and science are friends, not enemies.

Buddhism and Work

Learning Buddhism won't interfere with your work—it will make you do it better.

Because learning Buddhism makes you:

More focused
Calmer
Wiser
Better at handling relationships

These are all qualities needed for doing work well.

Q: How can we practice in busy modern life?

Master Sheng Yen: Busyness isn't the problem—the problem is your mind.

Busy Affairs, Not Busy Mind

You can be very busy, but your mind can be calm.

While doing things, maintain awareness.

This takes practice, but it can be done.

Treat Work as Practice

Don't separate work from practice.

Working earnestly is practice. Being kind to colleagues is practice. Doing things well is practice.

Use Fragmented Time

You don't need large blocks of time to practice.

When waking in the morning, take a few deep breaths—that's practice. When waiting for the bus, recite the Buddha's name a few times—that's practice. Before sleeping, reflect on today—that's practice.

Time is squeezed out; so is practice.

VI. The Meaning of Life

Q: What is the meaning of life?

Master Sheng Yen: The meaning of life is what you create yourself.

Not Given by Others

Many people search for life's meaning, as if meaning is something ready-made, hidden somewhere—find it and you'll know.

No.

Life's meaning isn't given by others—it's created by you.

What you find meaningful is meaningful.

For Me

For me, life's meaning is:

Making myself better
Helping others
Sharing the Dharma

These three things make every day fulfilling.

For You

You need to ask yourself:

What kind of life do I want?
What kind of person do I want to become?
What do I want to leave to this world?

The answers to these questions are your life's meaning.

Q: How can we live meaningfully?

Master Sheng Yen: Three things:

First: Know Yourself

You need to know yourself before you know what you want.

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? What do you like? Dislike?

Knowing yourself, you can find your own path.

Second: Develop Your Strengths

Everyone has their own strengths.

What are yours? Develop them.

You don't need to know everything—you just need to do well what you know.

Third: Benefit Others

A person's meaning lies not only in themselves, but in their contribution to others.

How many people you can help determines how great your meaning is.

People live in relationships; meaning is also generated in relationships.

VII. On Life and Death

Q: How do you view life and death?

Master Sheng Yen: Life and death are natural—treat them with equanimity.

What is Born Must Die

Everything that is born eventually dies.

This is natural law—no one is exempt.

Accept this fact, and you won't be so afraid.

Death Isn't the End

Buddhism speaks of rebirth. Death isn't the end—it's a new beginning.

The end of this life is the beginning of the next.

So don't view death as too可怕的.

Be Prepared

Although death isn't可怕, you must be prepared.

How to prepare?

Do what needs to be done
Say what needs to be said
Make peace with whoever needs reconciliation

This way, whenever you leave, there are no regrets.

Q: If you had one day left, what would you do?

Master Sheng Yen: I'd do what I normally do.

Chant and Meditate

Every morning I chant and meditate—the last day would be no different.

This is my practice—I won't stop because I'm dying.

Talk with Disciples

If there's time, I'd talk with disciples.

Tell them: I'm leaving now. Dharma Drum Mountain is in your hands—take good care of it.

Leave Peacefully

Finally, I'd leave peacefully.

Came cleanly, leave cleanly.

VIII. Final Words

Q: Please give us your final teaching.

Master Sheng Yen: What I say isn't complicated, but if you do it, it's extraordinary.

Elevate Yourself

Every day ask yourself: Am I better today than yesterday?

If yes, continue; if no, improve.

Benefit Others

If you have ability, help others.

Even helping just one person is meaningful.

Maintain Equanimity

Whether in favorable or adverse circumstances, maintain equanimity.

Equanimity is the Way.

Cherish Conditions

Meeting the Dharma, meeting good teachers—these are rare conditions.

Cherish them.

Postscript

Master Sheng Yen passed away on February 3, 2009, in Taiwan, at the age of 79.

In his life, he founded Dharma Drum Mountain, trained countless disciples, and influenced countless people.

His greatest wish was to build a Pure Land on Earth.

The phrase he often said became Dharma Drum Mountain's mission: "Elevating the quality of human beings, building a Pure Land on Earth."

This wasn't a slogan—it was his life's practice.

He embodied it, telling the world: The Pure Land isn't far away—it's in our hearts, in our lives.

May all readers find in Master Sheng Yen's wisdom the way to establish themselves and contribute to building a Pure Land on Earth.

This article is compiled from Master Sheng Yen's writings and teachings, preserving his straightforward and precise speaking style to more authentically convey the essence of his thought.

Carrying the Way through vessels · Transmitting the heart through things