Dialogue with the Buddha: Adjusting the Heart

The Karmic Burden of the Human Body

During her morning walking meditation on July 23, 2017, Practitioner Su made a significant observation regarding the persistent issue of drowsiness that often hinders one's practice. She discovered that this state is primarily caused by a dense accumulation of karmic creditors gathered around the head and between the eyebrows. Out of deep compassion, Practitioner Su visualised inviting these karmic creditors to leave, hoping to alleviate the drowsiness and clear the mind. This discovery touches upon one of the profound mysteries of the human body. She humbly requested the Buddha's compassionate guidance on this matter.

Namo Amituofo provided the following teachings: The human body is difficult to obtain, yet it is essentially a karmic body. It stores the imprints of ten thousand kalpas, holding within it all the karmic obstacles we have accumulated over countless lifetimes. These obstacles can be as vast as Mount Sumeru or as small as a mustard seed. Whatever the heart focuses upon, that is what manifests in our reality.

The Root of Drowsiness

All the laws of the world return to the heart. The various practices we undertake are essentially methods to subdue the heart, to find peace, and to settle the spirit. Ultimately, the goal is to reach the state of no-mind. To have no-mind is to be a Buddha. For ordinary people to attain Buddhahood, it would normally take countless eons. How can one achieve this in a single lifetime? If one waits, the time seems endless, and the suffering is infinite. However, if one uses the Buddha-name to transform the mind, the path to Buddhahood is not far away; it is right before your eyes. When the path is established, the obstacles are extinguished.

Students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre possess good roots from past lives. Through lifetimes of practice, you have accumulated merit and virtue. Only now, in this life, have you been able to gather before Practitioner Su and participate in the various sacred works conducted by the temple. You must first observe your own body. When karmic obstacles manifest, you must ask yourself: Where and when did this arise? What state of mind triggered it?

The Path of Sincere Repentance

When obstacles arise, they bring suffering to both the heart and the body. The heart endures torment, tossing and turning in restlessness. You may feel resentment, anger, or frustration that is difficult to forget. You may experience deep sorrow, pain, or a sense of loss. You might feel depressed, lose your ambition, or suffer from physical ailments such as swelling, pain, numbness, or weakness. These symptoms often arise because the conditions for your karmic creditors have matured, and they have emerged to seek balance. Drowsiness, the closing of the eyes, a sense of emptiness, or a scattered mind that cannot focus—these are all different causes leading to different results.

If you wish to remove the result, you must first address the cause. Sincere repentance is the most important step. Through true, heartfelt repentance, you can transform the hearts of your karmic creditors, and in doing so, find a resolution. Why does drowsiness accumulate between the eyebrows? This is the location of the main soul. When this area is pure, light shines forth. When it is good, it is bright. When it is stained, it becomes dark and heavy. When it is evil, it becomes black and murky. When your eyes are open, you can see these things, but seeing is not enough; you must be able to resolve them. Otherwise, you are left only with worry, frustration, and helplessness.

Returning to the Original Nature

Resolution comes from adjusting the heart. Although this requires time and patience, if you resolve the issue from the root, you can be healed. This remains true unless you commit the same errors again, allow confusion to arise, and stain your heart once more. If you desire clarity, you must be cautious with your thoughts. When there is no thought, there is coolness and peace. When there is no mind, there are no karmic creditors. When the heart is extinguished, the karma is extinguished. How does one reach the state of no-thought, no-mind, and the extinction of the heart? This is the very path to Buddhahood.

In this Dharma-ending age, our obstacles are heavy. How could we rely on our own strength alone to succeed? We must sincerely request the Buddha's assistance. The vow-power of Namo Amituofo is entirely contained within the Buddha-name. By exclusively chanting Namo Amituofo and practising with sincerity, while repenting and changing your ways, you can resolve your karmic debts, eliminate illnesses, and bring peace to your body, mind, and spirit. Those who have passed on will also be able to leave suffering behind. The grace of the Buddha is vast and profound. Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre extends its blessings to all spirits, relying together on the power of the Buddha. With compassion, we save all beings, and together, we shall return to the Western Pure Land.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.