The Four Lessons of Liao-Fan Series #7: How to Attain Spiritual Response and Fulfill Wishes

✨ In this teaching, we learn how sincerity opens the way to true spiritual response. Liao-Fan also reflects on his own habits, uncovering why he failed to gain rank and children, and showing us how faults can block blessings. These lessons remind us that when the heart is true, all wishes—worldly and spiritual—can be fulfilled.

🙏 Seeking with a True Heart

“Seek from the heart, and all responses will come through.” Where should we seek? We must seek from the true heart. Therefore, if you seek wealth and honor, you will obtain wealth and honor; if you seek children, you will obtain children; if you seek long life, you will obtain long life. When one understands the principle and method of seeking, and seeks in accordance with truth and Dharma, there is nothing that cannot be obtained. The most difficult goal, becoming a Buddha, can still be attained—how much more so the worldly goals of rank, wealth, and honor!

The most important aspect of seeking is communication. What is meant by “communication”? It is the ability to penetrate through the dimensions of space. What method can penetrate? The method is sincerity. What is “true”? It means no falseness at all, not the slightest trace of illusion. What is “sincere”? Master Zeng Guofan said: “When not a single deluded thought arises, that is sincerity.” In Buddhism, this is called “without false thoughts.” This is true sincerity. The heart of true sincerity is our original mind and nature. All worldly and transcendental Dharma arises from this true nature. Once we uncover it, how could there be anything we cannot obtain?

Shakyamuni Buddha explained these principles abundantly in the Mahayana sutras and treatises. Anyone who has studied Mahayana texts knows this. But who actually benefits? Only those who practice according to the teachings. If you merely read scriptures without understanding the meaning, or cannot apply these methods in daily life, then you gain no benefit. There will still be no communication, and without communication, even though you seek, there will be no response.

📖 Putting It into Practice

When I first studied Buddhism, I needed reference materials for giving lectures. At that time in Taiwan, they were very hard to find. Dharma Master Zhikai of Hong Kong helped me greatly; whatever books I needed, he collected and mailed to me. The book Commentary on the Middle Treatise took the longest—about half a year to arrive. I was seeking the Way—this was my true need. Because I sought in accordance with truth and Dharma, every request was answered.

Thus I deeply believe in both the scriptures and the teachings of my teachers without doubt. The eight words, “Seek from the heart, and all responses will come through,” are the principle and method of “ask and you shall receive.” Seeking depends on me. Not only can moral character and virtue be attained, but even external things such as wealth and rank can also be obtained. Both inner and outer benefits are possible through proper seeking.

🔎 Liao-Fan’s Self-Reflection

Why did I fail to gain official rank and have no children? Upon reflection, the faults were many.

The earth, though dirty, is fertile and produces abundance; but water that is too clear has no fish. My obsession with cleanliness was the first reason for having no son. Harmony is extremely important. As the saying goes: “When the family is harmonious, all things prosper.” A nation that lives in harmony must be strong and flourishing. Disharmony is a sign of decline. My tendency to lose my temper was disharmony. In other words, arrogance, pride, and treating others with disdain—this was the second reason.

Compassion is the root of life. Lacking compassion and harboring cruelty is the root of infertility. I cherished my reputation and often refused to sacrifice myself to save others—this was the third reason. I loved to talk, to complain, to use sarcasm, ridicule, and mockery. I embarrassed others in public so they could not stand with dignity—this was the fourth reason. My fondness for drinking damaged my spirit and strength—this was the fifth reason. My habit of sitting up all night without sleep, failing to preserve my vital energy—this was the sixth reason. Truly, after reflecting, my faults and transgressions were far too many.

🧘 Improper Practice of Meditation

“All-night sitting” in Buddhism is called “not lying down,” a type of meditative practice. In true meditation, one is awake and not sleeping. But if one uses sitting to replace sleep, it is worse than lying down. Lying down is comfortable, but sitting in sleepiness is painful. Genuine cultivators, whose minds are pure, free from selfishness, greed, and defilements, are not disturbed by these influences. They often abide in meditative absorption, wisdom growing moment by moment. When the mind is pure enough, sleep can indeed be transcended.

The five desires—wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—exist only in the Desire Realm. The Form Realm and Formless Realm have none. From this we know that sleep can be eliminated. However, if one’s afflictions are not yet removed, and one forces oneself to sit while drowsy, it certainly harms the body. This is unhealthy living. Therefore, in cultivation settings, one must not put on appearances. If you cannot do it, do not force yourself. Otherwise, you will ruin your health—this is foolishness.

✨ Next week in The Four Lessons of Liao-Fan Series #8:
Dependent Retribution Follows Primary Retribution — How can you break free from the chains of fate? In the next lesson we reveal the exact steps, from inner mind to daily actions, with a practical guide you won’t want to miss.

📚 Source: Venerable Master Chin Kung’s lecture on The Four Lessons of Liao-Fan, delivered on April 16, 2001, on Phoenix TV