According to Buddhism, the cause of sentient being’s cyclic existence doesn’t lie in the body, rather, it lies in karma. If karma exists, cyclic existence persists even if the body perishes. Because our alaya consciousness has lots of previous habitual patterns, when these habitual patterns ripen, the body comes into being. We can come to a conclusion that all phenomena is the by-product of alaya consciousness, be it a mountain, river, field, the sun, the moon, the stars or the body of sentient beings.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

It’s stressed in shastras that we need to rely on the dharma, rather than the person. Which means in the course of dharma study and research, we need to have conviction and rely on the authentic dharma or truth, rather than rely on the person’s fame, status, or power. We need to analyze if this person’s words are in accordance with the dharma and the truth, if the answer is yes, then we can trust this person’s words. Otherwise, regardless how famed a person is, we should not follow this person’s words blindly.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The Buddha told his disciples: it’s clinging to any objects that will become obstacles to liberation, not the value of the clung objects. At the time of death, if a rich person can distribute his assets properly, which leaves him with no attachment to his assets, the assets will not become obstacles to his liberation. To the contrary, even if one’s assets are not abundant, if one clings to them, then the assets will become obstacles to one’s liberation.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

In Nagarjuna's "Letter to a Friend”, there is a verse that says, "It has been said by the Buddha that among all wealth, contentment is the greatest. Be content. If you are content, then even if you possess no wealth, you'll be perfectly rich." Buddha has skillfully instructed us to recognize that contentment is the best kind of wealth. Therefore, we need to abide in contentment with less desire; a person who is content is truly rich even without any material wealth. Such a person can attain ultimate bliss.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The antidote of greed is renunciation. Generating renunciation will eliminate greed or keep it at bay; the antidote of selfishness is bodhicitta. Generating bodhicitta will reduce and eliminate selfishness; the antidote of attachment is to realise emptiness. Once realising emptiness, all problems will be solved, such as greed, selfishness, attachment, etc. Thus it’s vital to realise emptiness.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Many who have not heard formal teaching of Mahamudra, are envious and eager for Mahamudra. But if we one day really have the chance to hear about Mahamudra, the essential sadhana of Mahamudra is described in a couple of sentences. Just like the principle script of “The Sixth Patriarch's Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra” is only a few sentences. How can such simple words lead us to enlightenment? The most important help is the practice.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

If mankind has conviction in law of karma, it will not result in any loss, but rather mankind will lead a more peaceful, happier, harmonious life. The law of karma is the most justified law in universe, the hell realm is the most vicious prison in universe; these things can be verified.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Some Buddhists and some followers of other religions like going on about supernatural powers or spiritual attainments, this is not the focus of Buddhism. Despite the fact that Buddhism doesn’t refute supernatural power, neither does Buddhism pursuit it. What Buddhism promotes most is how to cultivate loving kindness, how to develop wisdom and how to learn to contribute, etc.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Lay practitioner’s practice starts from observing precepts. Observing precepts is also considered as a kind of practice and it is in fact most vital. I have met many lay practitioners who, despite the fact that they have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and believed they’re a seasoned practitioner, have yet to take the five precepts of lay practitioners. This is rather unreasonable. In order be a lay practitioner, observing precepts is paramount. Precepts are the foundation of all practice and developing wisdom. Without observing precepts, one is not a genuine practitioner, thus observing precepts is compulsory.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES