The Nature of the Heart and Mind

On August 29, 2020, during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided profound guidance on the nature of the heart and mind.

The Boundless Nature of the Heart

Your heart is as vast as the great ocean and as expansive as the clouds in the sky. It is boundless and infinite. The Buddha’s teachings are not separate from this heart; they are one and the same. True cultivation is the work you perform upon your own heart, for this is where your original nature resides. When you look within, you find the source of all truth.

From Confusion to Awakening

The light of the heart shines equally upon all, whether they are sentient beings or inanimate objects; all receive this illumination. To become a Buddha or a patriarch, one must rely entirely on this heart. Conversely, those who are trapped in the six realms of rebirth are often limited by a narrow, constricted heart. It is this very heart that keeps us bound to the six realms of rebirth. In contrast, the four types of sages learn to cultivate the Buddha-heart.

The Vow of the Western Pure Land

The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is built upon the Buddha-vow. If you wish to become a child of the Buddha, you must follow this path and emulate these vows. Your mind-capacity determines the success of your spiritual work. When your heart is vast and your capacity is great, all things can be accomplished. When you are free from selfish attachments, you can clearly understand the conditions of all beings. Open your heart wide, and you will be able to save the suffering masses.

The Perfection of Wisdom

Maintaining your original intention without wavering is the essence of meditative concentration. When your inner and outer worlds are as one, you have attained a pure heart. When you realise your true nature, the wisdom of Prajna manifests, and the Four Great Vows can be fulfilled. This is how you, as a disciple of the Buddha, can truly repay the Buddha’s kindness. This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.