If the sutras can help us to be enlightened, then after Shakyamuni Buddha went to Nirvana, He would not tell His disciples to go out and continue to spread the Dharma, just printing sutras would be enough then. Just printing sutras and give a few books to every household, and everyone would be enlightened and all become Buddhas, countless Buddhas. And life after life, we just print sutras, and it would be enough. What for Buddha has to come to this world? He even had to promise that Maitreya Buddha will come, too. […] Therefore, Bodhidharma and Master Huineng also said, “Special transmission outside the orthodox teaching.” It means transmitting the Dharma without sutras, without doctrines. The transmission of Dharma is not inside the doctrines, sutras, but there is a different sacred power. […]
Not that you sit and you become a Buddha. And when I pass away, they would say, “Madame Ching Hai taught us to sit. Just keep sitting and we will surely become a Buddha.” How can you sit and become a Buddha? […] When Buddha was still alive, there were many people who practiced other methods or sitting in meditation. Then Buddha said, “You guys cannot cook sand into rice.” Didn’t He say clearly like that? It was so. But it is also very difficult to understand. Because they were attached to the sutras, to the words, but did not understand the meaning of the words. Just like you, sometimes, you also misunderstand me. You’re attached to my words, without understanding the meaning behind what I say. The only way to understand me is to practice spiritually. That’s why Buddha said that those who became a Buddha can understand the Buddha. […]
You always have to remember to remind yourself, to reflect, to bring out your wisdom to use. You don’t just hear someone say something and just do it. The Buddha also reminded you. He said, “Whatever doctrine from anyone, even from me” – “Me” here is the Buddha, not this me, so don’t say wrongly. “Even my doctrine, you should study and contemplate on it carefully. Believe only whatever is worthy to believe.” See that? Buddha didn’t say that you must believe blindly. Buddha also said that, “You have to rely on yourself to become a Buddha, not on anyone else. You have to light your own torch to walk.” […]
