“Do not become attached to images” means, don’t be influenced by outer appearance. All forms and images are impermanent and will one day deteriorate and disappear. In Diamond Sutra it states: “All images are illusory. To see that images are not images is seeing the Tathagata”. If you are unable to see beyond the images and are still confused by the form, then you are still stuck in the physical or energy (duality) world and cannot enter the heavenly world (home). The reason confused beings are unable to be truly liberated is because they are bound by physical images. Their minds become slaves of images and their True Self cannot be the master and they will remain in the cycle of birth and death.

“Do not become attached to images” reminds us do not to be obsessed by channeling but focus on realizing the true essence of Buddha’s teachings. Furthermore, regardless of your situation, if you can be your true master and not be negatively influenced, that is truly detaching from images. 

My disciples, you can often refer to the Doctrine of The Mean (Zhong Yong) by saying “Zhong means bent neither one way nor another and Yong represents unchanging.” What is The Mean? The Mean is the moment when you can truly manifest your Buddha nature. Why? Because when your mind is clear and pure, it is not bent one way or another, not attached to form and not expecting anything in return. When your mind can maintain balance and harmony and is in constant equilibrium, you are expressing your Buddha nature. Therefore, “Do not become attached to images”, is also an expression of who you truly are! Once you become attached to images, you will always be in the cycle of birth and death and can never reach enlightenment.