Awakening the Luminous Awareness of the True Self

The Illusion of Right and Wrong

In this world, it is often difficult to distinguish between right and wrong. This is because most people define truth based on the consensus of the majority. They believe that if the majority says something is right, it must be right; if they say it is wrong, it must be wrong. However, they do not realise that the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way are immovable and unchanging. Ordinary people possess impermanent bodies, and every single second, they are caught in the shifting currents of karma. Within the web of Collective Karma and individual karma, when people with similar karmic patterns gather, they often reinforce each other's views. When these conditions mature, their collective actions take effect. If they happen to encounter natural disasters or human-made calamities, the resulting suffering and loss are inevitable. This is not something that human effort can avoid; it is entirely a matter of karmic retribution, occurring within the cycle of reincarnation.

The phenomena of Collective Karma, individual karma, and the laws of karma and cause and effect are occurring in the worldly realm at every moment. This is because the thoughts of beings never cease. As long as thinking does not stop, the cycle of reincarnation continues to turn, and the momentum of karma remains restless. This force keeps beings in a cycle where they cannot be the masters of their own lives, controlled instead by the destiny shaped by their karma. Every action and every thought is subject to the manifestation of karma. Karma is a form of energy, either positive or negative: positive energy leads to good consequences, bringing peace, joy, and satisfaction in the present life; negative energy leads to evil consequences, causing anxiety, pain, and sorrow in the present life.

The Master of the Six Realms

Regardless of the outcome, everything is created by the heart. This heart is the master that governs the six realms of existence and the Four Sacred Realms. Luminous awareness is one aspect of the heart, a manifestation of its true nature. It is the original nature of the heart—formless and colourless. If one can fully utilise this luminous awareness, it possesses the energy to transform positive and negative karmic retribution. It allows one to perceive the truth of many facts, even to know the past and future, to attract good fortune, and to avoid misfortune. The more one exercises this awareness, the more one's karma is transformed.

Every person possesses this luminous awareness. The degree to which it is obscured depends on how deeply one is lost in confusion and defilement. The more one engages in purification and clears away these defilements, the more this luminous awareness can be restored. To have this awareness fully manifest is not something that can be achieved overnight. Because we live in this world, people are accustomed to living according to their personal ego and selfishness. Our Body-Mind-Spirit is pulled by the environment of karma, living amidst a myriad of distractions. Consequently, our luminous awareness is covered by layers of worldly affairs. If one can become purely clean and good, without a trace of confusion or defilement, this luminous awareness will be free from all obstacles. It will fully manifest, which is the moment of realising one's true nature. This is the state of omniscience and omnipotence—an inconceivable realm. This is the purpose of practising the Buddha’s teachings: to distance oneself from the crowd and the Five Desires and Six Dusts, seeking purification to realise one's true nature and save beings.

The Stability of the Spirit-Knowing Heart

Luminous awareness is also known as the spirit-knowing heart, true self, awakened heart, or Buddha-nature. Although the names differ, the reality is the same. They all point to the same principle, presented with different names depending on the Dharma affinity of the practitioner, to help everyone understand the meaning. Even with this explanation, it is only a partial understanding; it is difficult to encompass the full picture, which can only be truly understood by those who have attained enlightenment.

The spirit-knowing heart is what Zen Master Zhongfeng described as: "Mixing with a thousand differences without being confused, passing through the three periods of time without changing." Whether one is in any of the six realms of existence or in a chaotic place, the spirit-knowing heart is not confused. Whether in the past, present, and future, the spirit-knowing heart remains unshaken. This is a very firm and stable power. Even if demon crowds wish to disturb it or external forces wish to sway it, the one with a spirit-knowing heart is not moved in the slightest. This causes the demon crowds to retreat in defeat, or even to be subdued and become Dharma protectors. This is the mark of a true practitioner. Practitioner Su is exactly like this, and all of you should learn from this example.

The Power of the Holy Name

The Pure Land method of chanting Buddha's name is in sync with this spirit-knowing heart. This is because the Holy Name "Namo Amituofo" is born from the Buddha-nature, Buddha-heart, and Buddha-vow of Amitabha. It is fully endowed with the power of merit and majestic power of Amitabha. Therefore, by chanting the name with a sincere heart, one can receive the Buddha's blessings, enter the meditative concentration of chanting Buddha's name, and have wisdom manifest, achieving the same accomplishments as the various powers of Amitabha.

Why does the Dharma Body arise from the true self? It is because those who have realised their true nature are those who have no-self and no ego. Everything they do is for the sake of others and for countless creatures. Therefore, they flow naturally with the Dharma and manifest according to their thoughts, never departing from the Truth. When the thoughts and actions within their mind-capacity meet the right Causal Conditions and are in sync with their vow and vow-power, the Dharma Body naturally manifests, making their thoughts and actions a reality. This is an inconceivable phenomenon, yet it is a natural occurrence within the nature of things.

A Call to Awakening

The students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, through the interviews conducted via the Dharma Body of Practitioner Su, have learned of many things that are difficult to know or hear. Through listening to the sutras and studying the teachings, they have come to understand the laws of the world. They should understand that the spirit-knowing heart is possessed by all beings and awaits development to save oneself and others. The students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are currently in this environment; they should truly cherish this magnificent Dharma affinity, let go of ego-attachment and personal views, seize every second, and remain vigilant and cautious at all times. In doing so, they will all have their own realisations of the Dharma, reach an "Aha!" moment, and eventually realise their true nature.

This message was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Venerable HaiZe.