Cultivating the Heart: The Path to the Buddha-Heart

The heart is the fundamental root of all existence. It is the source from which all our experiences arise, and it is the foundation upon which we build our spiritual journey. To understand the nature of the heart is to understand the very essence of our practice.

The Restless Nature of the Ordinary Heart

The ordinary heart is like a wild horse, galloping across vast plains without restraint. It is as restless as waves upon the ocean, constantly shifting and difficult to tame. This is what we call the karmic heart. When the heart stirs, karma is set into motion. We then endure suffering that is difficult to bear, and this cycle continues until the very moment of death. Where will you go in your next life? It depends entirely on the state of your heart and the karma you have accumulated throughout your journey.

The Journey Toward Stillness

To be free from the weight of heavy karma, one must strive for the state of no-heart. However, in this Dharma-Ending Age, our karmic burdens are heavy, making it exceptionally difficult to achieve this state of no-heart immediately. Therefore, before you can reach no-heart, you must first engage in the practice of cultivating the mind. This is a systematic process of purification:

• Taming the wild horse of your thoughts, bringing them under the control of your awareness.
• Reducing the influence of your deep-seated karmic habits that drive your reactions.
• Gradually letting go of the false attachments and delusions that cloud your original nature.

You must learn to tame your thoughts and bring your heart under control before you can speak of severing the attachments of the heart. It is a step-by-step process of returning to your original state.

Revealing the True Heart

Once you have successfully severed these attachments, you reach a state of true no-heart. This is the True Heart—a state devoid of falsehood, devoid of delusion, and entirely pure. This True Heart is clear, transparent, and profoundly sensitive. When you reach this state of no-heart, you will realise your true nature as an awakened being. In this state, karma has no place to manifest because the conditions for it have been dissolved.

You will see all things with absolute clarity and understand all truths with ease. You will perceive that all beings are one with you, sharing the same original nature. This is the Buddha-heart. It is the destination of our practice and the ultimate expression of our true selves.

This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo