The Ripples of the Heart

During the tenth day of the Taiwan New Year Dharma Assembly, at the time of the noon offering, Namo Amituofo provided profound teachings on the nature of the heart, using the metaphor of water ripples to guide our practice.

The Disturbance of the Heart

When a stone is cast into a still pond, ripples begin to form. Even after the stone has settled at the bottom, the waves continue to spread, moving from strong to weak. This is much like the nature of our thoughts. The appearance of an external event—the stone—causes a disturbance in the water of our heart. This disturbance manifests as ripples, which are the various states and emotions we experience. How can we stop these ripples once they have been set in motion? How can we prevent the heart from becoming agitated by the events of the world?

Finding the Stillness Within

The answer lies in the stillness of the heart. If you can maintain a state of inner quietude, the waves will never arise. If there are no waves, there are no ripples. If there are no ripples, how can the heart be disturbed? How can the mind be caught in endless agitation? The heart is like a pond. If you can control the movement of your thoughts, your heart will remain as calm as a still pool of water.

The Mirror of Absolute Clarity

When the heart is perfectly still, it becomes a mirror that reflects all things in the universe. In this state, you can perceive everything with absolute clarity. You will see the truth of all phenomena, and your wisdom will shine through. As a practitioner, your heart should be like this still water. It should be like a bright, clear mirror. Only when you stop the agitation of the heart and the movement of your nature can you truly begin your practice.

Cultivating a Pure Spirit

Through the practice of meditative concentration, you nourish your heart. By nurturing this clear awareness, your spirit can become truly pure. When your heart is settled in meditative concentration, the events of the world no longer stand in opposition to you. You will no longer feel the impact of people, matters, or objects. When the heart is balanced and peaceful, you can maintain this purity constantly. Your heart will naturally remain unchanged, and only then will you truly understand the essence of practice.

Namo Amituofo.

This discourse was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi, serving as chief writer.