Coolness and Ease: The Wisdom of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
An Interview with Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Recorded on April 15, 2019
The Natural State of Serenity
The state of coolness and ease is something that belongs to everyone by nature. It is a condition that you can possess naturally and effortlessly. Why, then, has it become a distant, unreachable dream that people spend their entire lives chasing? The reason is that people have become deeply confused by the and . By living within a cycle of delusions and endless cravings, they have drifted far away from the coolness and ease that is their birthright.
When we speak of being confused, some may feel a sense of resistance. They might argue, "I am very clear about my life; why do you say I am confused by the Five Desires and the Six Dusts?" However, consider this: a person who has grown up in mud does not realise they are covered in filth. Many people do not understand what true suffering is until they have experienced it personally. Similarly, a child who grows up in a life of comfort cannot appreciate the value of adversity. It is only through the trials of difficult times that one learns to be content and to cherish the moments of peace.
The Burden of External Seeking
True coolness and ease mean that there is not a single shred of attachment or burden left in the heart. The mind becomes as empty and natural as the vast sky. For the busy people of today, this feels like an impossible luxury. Under the weight of heavy burdens, people desperately crave a life free from pressure. Consequently, they look outward, seeking various methods for liberation. Yet, instead of improving their situation, they often find themselves even more heavily burdened. Why is this?
Unless you find your way back to your true self, you cannot truly set down your burdens. Any method that is pursued with delusions, attachment, selfishness, or self-interest will only add to your worries. True coolness and ease are already within you; they cannot be found by chasing external things. What was originally a state of perfect peace and coolness has become a source of anxiety because of the restless, wandering mind. People make their lives so complicated that they can barely catch their breath.
Creating Space for the True Self
Give yourself some space to breathe. Learn to be still and listen to the voice within your own heart. Relax your demands on the world and do not take the affairs of the world so seriously. Smile, let go, and understand that what is past is already gone. There is no need to grasp tightly at things that are fleeting. The Five Aggregates—Form, , , , and —are all empty by nature. Within this emptiness, there is no suffering, no pressure, no burden, and no obstacles.
Transcending Attachment
Everything in this world that has form and appearance, including your own physical body, is transient. Whether it is sentient beings or inanimate objects, you must not develop attachments to them. Only by releasing these attachments can you be free from all obstacles. The moment you develop ego-attachment and hold onto your own views, your afflictions begin. You start to make discriminations, you see "self" and "others," and you begin to calculate and compare. In such a state, it is impossible to attain true coolness and ease.
My children, you must remember this deeply: the path to finding your true self is the path to coolness and ease. This is who you truly are. By returning to your original nature, you will find the peace you have been seeking all along.
This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library