Dharma talk Traps on the path of practice - Nun Thich Nu Nhu Lan in the 105th Seven-day Retreat

On April 25th, 2025 in the 105th Retreat, Nun Thich Nu Nhu Lan, Member of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Director Board, Abbot of Hung Thien pagoda, Dong Thap preached a Dharma talk named Traps on the path of practice in the Wheel Dharma Building's Main Hall.

Practicing towards liberation and enlightenment, practitioners not only face the suffering in daily life, but also have to overcome countless subtle obstacles. These challenges are not always obvious, they often disguise themselves in seemingly reasonable forms, making practitioners easily mistakenly believe that they are on the right path. The nun pointed out four types of traps as following:

 

First is the trap of five desires: wealth, beauty, fame, food, and sleep, are five basic but powerful desires that can drag practitioners into indulgence. Many people begin their practice with a sincere mind, but when faced with money, power, beauty, or fame, their minds begin illusions, they gradually lose direction. Practicing in everyday life is already difficult, keeping the mind quiet amidst temptations is even more difficult. If one does not regularly contemplate and live with awareness, five desires will become a strong pulling force to make practitioners  returning to their ordinary minds.

 

The second is the trap of supernatural powers,  are abilities that arise when a practitioner reaches a certain level of meditation or practice.  Supernatural powers are only a by-achievement not being the goal of practice, many people forget their precept, wisdom and fall into wrong views because of their love for supernatural powers. Some people even use supernatural powers to seek personal gain, causing others to lose faith. Practitioners need to remember the supernatural powers are not for show or pride, but to serve compassion and wisdom if used properly.

 

The third is arrogance. When having a little understanding of the Dharma, a practitioner can meditate for a long time, strictly observe the precept, easily giving rise to a mind of comparison and arrogance, seeing oneself as superior to others, and giving rise to a mind of looking down on others. This is a manifestation of the subtle ego that still exists. If not recognized in time, it will become a layer of "meditation shell" that covers the ego, falling into a state of complacency. Arrogance makes the practitioner not listen, not accept good words from others, which is stopping the practice. Breaking arrogance is an important step to get closer to liberation, because only when there is no longer a distinction between self and others, superiority and inferiority, one can truly let go.

 

Finally, there is a very subtle trap that no everybody realizes: attachment to one's own purity. When practicing for a long time, keeping the precept strictly, meditating deeply, the mind is at peace. In that state, the practitioner can become attached, thinking that he has achieved something precious and identifying himself with its purity. From there, the practitioner easily develops a discriminating mind, thinking that others have not practiced, are not pure, and then judging and evaluating others. This discriminating mind and ego are very dangerous because they are hidden under the guise of diligent practice. True purity does not lie in keeping a distance from the world, but in no longer being attached, in not having a discriminating mind. Practice is to let go, not to collect more achievements or attainment for the ego.

 

Without mindfulness and constant self-reflection, practitioners can easily fall into these traps without realizing it. On the journey to enlightening, humility, wisdom and compassion are the three lights that help practitioners overcome obstacles on the path to returning their true mind.

 

In the lecture hall areas, there are group activities, monks and Buddhists interact and ask questions revolving around afternoon practice topics.

 

Photos recorded