Equanimity and the Fluctuating Heart

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

5 August 2022

The Test of Illness

When the suffering of illness manifests before you, and the pain becomes unbearable or your breath grows shallow, what is the state of your heart at that very moment? Is your heart resting in equanimity, or is it caught in the turbulence of a fluctuating heart? If you can maintain a steady heart and continue to chant Namo Amituofo, then your rebirth in the Western Pure Land is within reach. However, if your heart is fluctuating, even if you attempt to chant Namo Amituofo, it will be difficult to subdue your restless thoughts. In such a state, the heart of reincarnation manifests, and the Western Pure Land feels very far away.

The Test of Aging

When the process of aging manifests, and you find yourself unable to exert strength or feel as though your progress has come to a standstill, what is the state of your heart? Is your heart resting in equanimity, or is it caught in the turbulence of a fluctuating heart? If you can maintain a steady heart and continue to chant Namo Amituofo, then your rebirth in the Western Pure Land is within reach. If your heart is fluctuating, even if you attempt to chant Namo Amituofo, it will be difficult to subdue your restless thoughts. At this time, the heart of reincarnation manifests, and the Western Pure Land feels very far away.

The Test of Death

When the suffering of death manifests, and the physical body experiences the agony as the four elements separate, what is the state of your heart? Is your heart resting in equanimity, or is it caught in the turbulence of a fluctuating heart? If you can maintain a steady heart and continue to chant Namo Amituofo, then your rebirth in the Western Pure Land is within reach. If your heart is fluctuating, even if you attempt to chant Namo Amituofo, it will be difficult to subdue your restless thoughts. In such a state, the heart of reincarnation manifests, and the Western Pure Land feels very far away.

The Necessity of a Steady Heart

My dear children, you must understand that maintaining a state of stability at all times is a vital condition for those who wish to chant Namo Amituofo at the end of life and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. By keeping your heart steady, you will:

• Avoid being pulled away by your karmic creditors.
• Prevent yourself from falling back into reincarnation.
• Ensure that you do not drift further away from the Western Pure Land.

Namo Amituofo