Real faith and genuine rules of conduct can be found in the home and in everyday life.
If everyone practised sincerity and harmony, with a smiling countenance and polite words there would be no estrangement between family members whatsoever and their interests would coincide completely. This is ten thousand times better than sitting in meditation or practising breath control.
家庭有个真佛，日用有种真道。人能诚心和气、愉色婉言，使父母兄弟间形骸两释、意气交流，胜于调息观心万倍矣！
Notes
Family as the True Buddha:
Traditionally, “Buddha” signifies an object of reverence and worship. By calling family the “true Buddha,” this passage elevates kinship, familial bonds and responsibilities as a “faith” closer to life’s essence than any religion or philosophy. It requires no deliberate prayer but demands heartfelt nurturing–filial piety toward parents and fraternal care for siblings stem not from superficial obedience but genuine empathy.
Daily Life as the True Path:
“Sincere hearts and gentle dispositions” and “joyful expressions and kind words” may seem like mundane details of cohabitation, yet they embody the “true path” of living. This reveals a core truth: Cultivation lies not in mountain temples but in household trivialities. Compared to solitary meditation (“inward seeking”), harmonious family interaction (“outward practice”) better reflects spiritual maturity–patience and kindness toward those closest to us signify true refinement.
“Shedding Formalities, Exchanging Spirits”:
“Shedding formalities” means abandoning status, barriers, and calculations (e.g., parents forgoing authority, children releasing rebellion, siblings overlooking gains/losses). “Exchanging spirits” signifies heartfelt connection and emotional resonance. In this state, family transforms from obligatory bonds into a nourishing harbor–offering deeper peace and fulfillment than any ascetic practice.
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