Date: 08/30/2025 08/31/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
Diligence in Three Practices Leads to Rebirth in the Pure Abode Heaven
There was once a layman in the Pure Abode Heaven named “Hand.” He wholeheartedly wished to descend to the human world to pay homage to the Buddha and listen to his teachings. However, celestial beings have extremely soft and subtle bodies, making it impossible for them to stand on the coarse earth of the human realm.
The Buddha then instructed Layman Hand, “The human body is coarse and solid. If you wish to appear in the human world, you must first transform your form to resemble that of humans. This can be done by meditating and visualizing the characteristics of the earthly world.”
Layman Hand immediately followed the Buddha’s instruction, focusing his contemplation and gradually transforming his delicate celestial body. At last, he fulfilled his wish and was able to prostrate before the Buddha with utmost reverence.
The Buddha asked him, “What tireless efforts did you make in the past to accumulate such merit and be reborn in the Pure Abode Heaven?”
Layman Hand respectfully replied, “I diligently and tirelessly practiced three things:
First, I constantly made offerings to and venerated the Buddhas, never growing weary.
Second, I ceaselessly listened to the Dharma, repeatedly hearing and contemplating it without fatigue.
Third, I tirelessly offered all necessary support to the monastic Sangha. Because of these three practices, I now enjoy the reward of rebirth in the Pure Abode Heaven.”
The Buddha used this occasion to teach his disciples that true practice requires unwavering faith in the Dharma. Even those who have attained the fruits of the path, whether Śrāvakas or Bodhisattvas, continue to immerse themselves in the Dharma, using it as a mirror to reflect upon their minds and remove ignorance and afflictions. Thus, the Buddha encouraged all to take this teaching as a reminder—through diligence, progress on the path is assured.
