To the fourfold assembly of disciples, whether you find yourself lost in a state of or wandering through the vast expanse of space, you must ask yourself: as the days pass by with such relentless speed, when will you finally wake up?
The Illusion of the Wandering Mind
If you find that your heart is stirred by the circumstances you encounter, or if you harbour varying states of mind in response to the world, this is a clear sign that your still persists. It indicates that your habit of making discriminations remains active and that you are still trapped within the cycle of reincarnation and the reality of impermanence. As long as you are swayed by the external environment, you are not yet truly awake.
When you reach the point of , your heart will become as still as a calm lake, undisturbed by any waves. You will be able to face the world before you with a mind of perfect peace and equality. In that state, the environment is simply the environment, people are simply people, mountains are mountains, and water is water. Everything is seen with absolute clarity. You will no longer be deceived by the illusory realms of reincarnation, for you will understand the difference between the real and the false, and you will finally be able to take charge of your own destiny. That is the moment of true Awakening.
Moments of Profound Realisation
When does this awakening occur? It can happen in many ways, and you must be ready to receive it:
You may wake up when you encounter the sacred words of or the teachings provided by your teacher.
You may wake up when you witness the cycle of sunrise and sunset, observing the impermanence of all things. In particular, when you see the magnificent, true golden light of the heavens as the sun rises and sets over the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, let that beauty stir your spirit to awaken.
You may wake up when you receive a sudden, sharp admonition from Practitioner Su, which serves to shatter your delusions.
You may wake up during your morning prostrations when you hear the Buddha-name, or when you gaze upon the image of the Buddha or your teacher and suddenly experience a flash of insight.
You may wake up when you hear the birds singing in the early morning or see the cattle grazing in the fields, prompting a deep awareness of the terrifying reality of the laws of karma and cause and effect, and the certainty that no action goes unrewarded.
You may wake up when you witness the suffering of ageing and illness, realising the profound misery of being unable to control your own cycle of reincarnation.
You may wake up when you see people hopelessly addicted to the and , suffering under the weight of their own karma and the relentless pursuit of their
The moment of awakening is unpredictable. It can occur within any minute, any second, or even in the blink of an eye. It is always a potential moment for you to wake up.
The Foundation of Merit and Virtue
However, you might ask: what if I find myself in these very situations and yet I still cannot wake up? If your merit and virtue are insufficient, it is difficult to achieve the purification necessary to wake up and realise your true nature. This is because a state of pure goodness requires a foundation of virtuous conduct and the power of merit; only then will your karmic creditors be willing to resolve their grievances with you.
You must cultivate a pure heart to face the various defiled environments, people, and matters you encounter. You must possess meditative concentration—a deep, unwavering focus—so that your heart is not moved by external influences and your pure mind remains untouched by impurity. Only then can you truly wake up.
Students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the environment you are in now offers you countless opportunities to wake up at any time. But I ask you: when will your heart finally wake up?
