Words of Blessing, Part 2 of 4, June. 4, 1995, Hsihu, Taiwan (Formosa)

Also, I told you yesterday the story of the person who raised snake(-people). It’s a true story, and it was in the newspapers. […] When we stay together with something, some beings, we’ll become that; we’ll quickly become one with them. So, that girl had stayed together with snake(-people) for too long, and she became the same as a snake(-person). […] The same with us. If we are often together with fellow initiates and wise friends, our spirituality will definitely be influenced. (Yes.) In material aspects, we’re influenced materially; in spiritual aspects, we’re influenced spiritually. So this is something logical. Because when we come here or go to group meditation, we don’t learn anything that’s not good. It’s all virtuous, all good for ourselves, for our family, and society. This is just talking about the philosophical aspect. As for the spiritual aspect, the enlightened wisdom within, of course, no one can see it. But of course, you still receive it. […]

I respect everyone, because I know you are Buddhas. It doesn’t matter that you don’t know it. So, how dare I scold Buddhas? If I scold you, it’s because you don’t know it. I have to force you to understand yourselves. Otherwise, if you keep moving and turning over there, and opening your eyes, how can you practice? How can you settle your mind to meditate? You’ve spent so much time, so much effort, so much bus fare to come here. And you just hang around for 3 days, and go home. You don’t get anything. Then why bother? This way, we’re deceiving ourselves, deceiving society, and our families too. Our family members sacrifice at home, taking care of the family for a few days for us to come here for diligent meditation. In the end, we give them nothing in return. We’re not serious while in here. Is that good? Ah? (Not good.) Not good. Not good. And we’re here on vacation, while many people are still working out there, protecting the country and doing lots of things. We meditate here quietly for a few days. We have to do it seriously, just like when we go to work. […]