A Ch'an practitioner is interested only in revealing Buddha-nature and the jewel of precepts, which are sealed in his mind-ground. Buddha-nature refers to the mind with no vexation. The jewel of precepts refers to action which does not create evil karma. Buddha-nature and the jewel of precepts are aspects of Buddhahood. A practitioner is concerned only with these two aspects. All other things and actions pertain only to superficial phenomena, and have nothing to do with his essential substance, which Yung-chia refers to as the mind-ground.

Yung-chia emphasizes that it is not enough just to realize the mind of true nature (Buddha-nature). It is also necessary to have pure action. Without pure action, a practitioner will become doubtful of his Buddha-nature. A Ch'an master may think he has reached the state of pure Buddha mind, but if he thinks the precepts are of no further use, and he eats meat, drinks alcohol, engages in sexual misconduct, or desires material wealth, then there will surely be problems. A practitioner with these ideas has deviated from true Ch'an teachings, and is deluded by demonic obstructions. In the history of the Ch'an sect, there has never been a patriarch who has engaged in impure conduct and still retained his position.

A person who practices relentlessly will eventually realize his true nature. The benefit that derives from such practice is unlimited. Although the person helps himself and others, he is not attached to anything. He is a person of pure action, a person who has revealed his Buddha-nature.