The Courage of Practice: Why Can Some People Sustain Their Mind for So Long?

Many people begin their spiritual journey with great enthusiasm, only to lose heart after a few weeks or months. We often ask ourselves: Why is practice so difficult? Why do others remain diligent while we hesitate?

I recall a woman who told me she loved everyone yet still suffered. I replied, "No. Your love is too small and brief; it lacks the strength to endure trials." I compared this to planting a jackfruit tree. Sowing the seed is hard, but caring for it, pruning branches, and removing pests are far more challenging. Love must pass through trials to bear fruit. Similarly, the path of practice is not complete merely by making an initial vow.

The Dharma is as Deep as the Ocean: Understanding is Hard, Practicing is Even Harder

We often think the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) are simple: believe in cause and effect (karmic law), do good and avoid evil, recite the Buddha’s name for rebirth in Pure Land. Yet, as we go deeper, each concept reveals complex layers. For instance, beautiful faces often attract affection, yet some beautiful people suffer greatly. Why? Cause and effect (karmic law) is not as simple as we imagine.

"The Buddhist philosophy may seem accessible, but it is not easy to understand. Once understood, practicing it becomes even harder."

Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasized that many make vows to practice without correct understanding. They hastily claim enlightenment upon hearing a profound phrase. True enlightenment requires a massive internal transformation and long-term effort. This difficulty gives practice its value.

Faith in the Buddha’s Blessings: The Foundation of Courage

If we rely solely on our own strength during practice, failure is inevitable sooner or later. The foundation of courage lies in recognizing that all achievements come from the blessings of the Buddhas. As the teacher said:

"The foundation of this courage is the blessing of the Buddhas."

Whether reciting the Buddha’s name, chanting sutras, or doing good deeds, we must remember that these acts are supported by the Buddhas’ power, not just our own. Recognizing this makes us more humble and steady on the path.

Skillfulness and Determination: Two Sides of One Courage

In practice, we need both gentleness and firmness. When reciting the Buddha’s name, we should not force or be harsh. Instead, we observe the mind gently but without laxity, ensuring external distractions do not sweep us away.

"In practice, one must be both skillful and gentle, yet also determined. This effort must be very light but very firm."

When family members oppose our practice, we respond with kindness to avoid conflict, yet we maintain our resolve not to abandon the path. This is true courage—flexible like clouds, yet solid like stone.

Great Aspirations, Gentle Pace: The Secret to Enduring Practice

Practitioners hold great aspirations, wishing to attain enlightenment and save all beings. However, excessive impatience leads to extremes and failure. A monk once locked himself in his cell, throwing the key into a ditch to practice until he achieved realization. Three days later, he had to break down the door because his mind was consumed by impatient pride.

"Aspirations should be vast, but execution should be gentle."

Gentleness does not mean laziness. It means cultivating merit, living altruistically, and practicing according to conditions at a gradual pace. Having great aspirations without clinging to results is true courage.

Begin with the smallest things: recite the Buddha’s name gently, perform quiet good deeds, and keep precepts in daily life. Faith in the Buddha’s blessings, combined with skillful determination, will help us walk steadily on the path. May all Buddhists remain diligent!