Walking on the road of practice, it's like climbing a mountain.  We climb and pant for a long time; we get tired, still there is no top in sight.  Some people consider the illusory phenomena on the trail, hesitant to advance and maybe stop climbing.  Therefore, they will never reach the top of the mountain.  Practicing Buddhism is analogous of going up an incline.  Some people carry heavy backpacks crammed with big self-perspective; many tiers of greed, hatred and ignorance; and grudging habitual pattern from the previous existences.  It is very difficult for them to climb up to the mountain with these heavy burdens on their back.

A true climber will fully understandthe route and have clear direction in advance.  He will bring compass for direction guidance and some climbing necessities and inviting several trusty good friends to climb together.  It is the same for practice.  We should clearly understand the route and the method of our practice equipping with some mandatory supplies, such as, Three Studies, Four Bodhisattva Virtues, Five Powers, Six Paramitas, Seven Characteristics of Bodhi, and Eight Right Paths etc. without missing any one of them.  Moreover, we need mutual assistance from the great vitreous and knowledgeable Friends and the guidance of our teacher on our journey in order to attain the Buddhahood.  President Kennedy once had said:

"Under a lot of circumstances, we have to do certain things.  It is not because it's very easy but because it's very difficult."

The joy in conquering a mountain is its indomitable spirit.  The extraordinary aspect of the practice is about the ability to overcome what is difficult.  But, the hero is always alone.  It is not easy to find a companion who has a common goal on the journey of the practice.  Therefore, we should have the spirit of endurance while practicing.  The poet, Robert Frost, once wrote:

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one less traveled by.  And that has made all the difference." - THE ROAD NOT TAKEN ~ROBERT FROST

The ancient saints and sages also encouraged us:

"Before the superior gives a person great responsibility, he must first try this person's will, put this person in hunger, and test this person's physical body to increase this person's endurance."

Taking great responsibility with endurance is the most glorious in our lives!  Only experiencing suffering can let us realize Bodhisattva's great compassion.

But, loving leisure and hating work is the habit of the sentient beings.  We always expect that good luck descend from the sky.  People want to practice with ease and relaxation and without any sacrifice.  They said that enjoying the beauties of nature is a way to experience Buddha Dharma.  They mistake that eating, drinking, and having fun is inquiring Zen and practicing the path.  If loose self-control and acting based on emotion were practices, then why did our original teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha, abandoned his enjoyable life to practice on the road covered with thorns?

Practice cannot be separated from your daily life.  Walking, standing, sitting, and sleeping are a part of Buddhist activities.  Talking, laughing, and playing are nothing but Zen.  Taking this easy way out, the ultimate fulfillment will not be revealed.  The concept of practice really should not be misinterpreted by any individual's view.

In the process of practice, we see mountain is mountain and river is river at the beginning stage.  Then, gradually, we see mountain is not mountain and river is not river.  Finally, we see mountain is still mountain and river is still river.  The only thing is that the recognition of the mountain and river now is not the same as the recognition of the mountain and river as before.

I asked myself: What I am seeing today, is it a mountain?  It's not a mountain!