Preface

This book is a record of lectures of the highest order. Because they address sincere advancement in cultivation — and because cultivating the true Dao requires, above all, a genuine heart — everything spoken here forms a step-by-step staircase for our progress forward. For this reason, the book is called Record of Sincere Advancement in Cultivation.

The language of this book is plain, rough-hewn, and common. I fear it will hardly satisfy those of deep learning or those skilled in elegant composition. But the present age is different. What ordinary people speak, write, and create is nothing but the vernacular — easy to understand. To cling to classical forms would only make it harder to spread these teachings widely.

Moreover, in the Final Catastrophe of the Three Eras, Dao is being transmitted universally, and all the Buddhas and Patriarchs have descended in humble disguise to save the world, adapting their teachings to the times. Everything spoken, recorded, and written strives to be accessible, so that people understand the moment they hear it and comprehend the moment they see it — achieving twice the result with half the effort.

The recorder has therefore followed this same intention. But I ask you, the readers, to bring a discerning eye and study these pages with a humble and open mind. The words are plain, but the meaning reaches far. The truth contained within is truly inexhaustible and cannot be compared to any ordinary book. What is called the supreme and great Dharma — how could it be anything other than this?

Every topic in this book comes from the Dean teaching the assembly through his own experience, elucidating the true meaning of the true Dao. Regrettably, the recorder is of shallow knowledge and limited talent, and much was forgotten during the recording — inevitably catching one detail while missing ten thousand.

I only hope that you, the readers, will use this book to grasp the main outline and thereby recognize your original face. Penetrate the truth through realization, and quickly go forth to cultivate merit and virtue — that would be enough. These trifling, humble words are not worth a glance. I can only hope that the discerning will forgive their inadequacy — that would be a great blessing.