Thân Hỷ Trường
The conch shell is a small creature, yet it carries a large and heavy shell. That weight causes it to sink and lie silently at the bottom of the deep ocean. Spiritually, we humans are like that conch shell. We carry an invisible but immensely heavy and vast “shell”: the ego. Our attachment to the ego weighs down our consciousness, dragging us into the depths of ignorance, causing us to suffer in the endless cycle of samsara.
The shell envelops the entire body of the conch shell, keeping it still and silent, unable to move freely through the vast ocean. Similarly, the ego – with its thick layers of habitual tendencies and defilements—envelops and binds our consciousness. It keeps us stagnant in delusion, unable to take steps on the path of spiritual awakening. The shell is hard and difficult to penetrate; its toughness becomes a barrier that prevents the conch shell from interacting with the dynamic environment of the sea. Likewise, the human ego is deeply entrenched, formed from countless prejudices, opinions, and dualistic views. It blocks us from hearing the teachings of masters and sages, obstructs the reception of wisdom’s light, and closes our hearts to the truth that permeates the universe.
The conch shell is a vivid symbol of the ego—formless, yet it makes us believe we are “somebody,” the center of the universe. Though its body is small, its large shell makes it think it is grand and extraordinary. The ego is the same: though empty, it constantly creates the illusion of its own monumental importance. Conch shell often live isolated and solitary at the ocean floor, avoiding mingling with others to form a group. Likewise, when humans are clouded by ego, they easily fall into loneliness and separation, living in a world of their own making. This stands in stark contrast to the Bodhisattva’s vow—to transcend the small self and merge with the truth of altruism, constantly expanding the web of interconnection.
To use a conch shell as a horn, the body must no longer reside within it. When the shell is empty, it can be transformed into a conch. Its spiral interior amplifies sound, and a small hole is often cut at the pointed end to create a blowing tube. The flared mouth of the shell helps direct and project sound far and wide, making the emitted sound loud and resonant. Symbolically, if we wish to “call out”—to connect, inspire, or summon others effectively—our attachment to ego must be transformed. Only when consciousness is freed from the grip of the self can we become a conduit for transmitting truth.
In the dharma practice of “Bảo Loa Thủ Nhãn” (Jewel Conch Hand and Eye), the shell is not merely a lifeless object but a sacred dharma object capable of transforming darkness into light, turning afflictions into clarity. It embodies the profound philosophy that “afflictions are none other than enlightenment.” The shell used in this practice is a true symbol of transformation. Darkness—representing afflictions, ignorance, and obstacles—enters the belly of the shell not to be rejected or destroyed, but to be gradually transformed into light through the sacred power of the ŚCA seed of luminosity. When this light passes through the exit hole at the tip of the shell, it becomes a laser beam shooting upward.
When a conch shell dies, its flesh decays and is consumed by sea creatures. Its empty shell begins a long journey toward the shore. Lying at the ocean’s depths among mud and sand, it is gradually pushed by currents, tides, and waves toward land. This journey is not easy—the shell collides with sand and rocks, gets caught in seaweed, and may be pulled back by waves. Shells from the deep sea may take hundreds of years to reach the shore. In coral-rich or island areas with strong currents, the journey may be shorter, but most shells endure a long passage from the ocean’s heart to the beach.
When we hold a conch shell and feel its smooth, polished surface, we’re touching the result of countless collisions with sand and coral, worn down over time. In contrast, shells still at the ocean floor are rough and coarse, having never undergone such abrasion. This is the image of the spiritual path. The road to enlightenment cannot be measured in months or years—it is a lifelong, even multi-lifetime accumulation.
We are adrift in the ocean of suffering, swept by karmic currents and conditions, yet we also encounter invisible streams of dharma that gradually guide us to the shore of awakening. On this path, every stumble, every adverse condition or disappointment, is a moment of refinement. Only when our hearts are sufficiently polished and trained through hardship and challenge can our spirit evolve, leading to a consciousness that transcends the ego’s grip—liberated from delusion and irrationality.
The message of the conch shell teaches us a profound philosophy. From being enclosed, fixed, and silent in the deep ocean, the shell begins to drift, surrender, undergo change, and finally reaches the shore. The once useless shell now becomes a conch that emits powerful sound—gathering, informing, and signaling others. Likewise, each of us lives within our own “shell”—the shell of ego, of the hardened and clinging self. But if we can let go of the mistaken notion of “I,” and transform our self-centered consciousness into selfless awareness, then like the ancient shell, we begin a new life—not rigid and meaningless, but full, purposeful, and beneficial to others.
This journey of transformation is not short. From lying silently at the ocean’s bottom to being picked up, cleaned, and used, it is a long, quiet process requiring much time. Similarly, on the path of practice, we cannot expect quick results. We need patience, perseverance, and deep faith in the Dharma. Never think of yourself as “somebody”—someone important or special. Instead, always remind yourself that you are just a small conch shell, lying quietly at the bottom of the ocean of afflictions and ignorance. But if you maintain humility, steadfastness, and diligent practice, then one day, that small conch shell will be transformed and ultimately become a sacred dharma object in the practice of “Bảo Loa Thủ Nhãn,” bringing forth miraculous and inconceivable effects.