Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
17 August 2025
The Inquiry of the Heart
My dear children, I ask you to pause and look within. At this very moment, is your heart empty, or is it full? To have an empty heart does not mean that it is void of existence. Rather, it is a state of profound readiness—a state where, when one needs to know, one knows; when one needs to act, one acts. Conversely, a full heart is one that is cluttered with the weight of existence. It is a heart that clings to the past, dwells in the present, and worries about the future.
The Radiance of an Empty Mind
What does it mean to possess an empty mind? It is a state of being that remains pure regardless of time or place. It is a heart that maintains a constant sense of coolness and clarity. When your mind is empty, you are filled with , feeling light, at ease, and free from the trivialities that seek to disturb your peace. In this state, you are naturally filled with gratitude and joy. You are capable of performing good deeds and perceiving the truth of reality. You possess a sharp awareness and a sensitive, luminous perception. You can clearly discern the changes in the people, events, and environments around you, yet you remain completely unmoved. Because your mind is empty, it is capable of manifesting all things.
The Burden of a Full Mind
In contrast, what does it mean to have a full mind? It is a mind burdened by the three obstacles of delusion, discrimination, and attachment. It is a mind that is constantly trapped in the cycle of comparison, measuring oneself against others; in the cycle of duality, seeing things in terms of high and low, good and bad; and in the cycle of attachment, clinging to gains and losses. It is a mind caught in the webs of emotion, family ties, and various worldly obstacles. When the mind is full, it is difficult to find true coolness or ease. The heart is always occupied with worldly affairs, making it hard to reveal a genuine, peaceful smile. Such a mind is often filled with Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, as well as the of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. When these things reside within the heart, it becomes incredibly difficult to let go.
The Path of Purification
For those who truly chant the name of Namo Amituofo, the practice is a continuous, unbroken stream of . As you chant, the Buddha-name acts like pure water, washing away the clutter within your heart. It purifies the mind, resolving the conflicts of a full heart and transforming it into an empty one. Through this process, you will naturally learn to see through the illusions of the world and let go of your attachments. When you reach this state, where could there possibly be room for delusion, discrimination, or attachment? Where would the comparisons, the highs and lows, the good and bad, or the gains and losses remain? The emotional entanglements, the worries, and the sense of lack will simply dissolve. You will no longer be troubled by the heat of afflictions, nor will you be burdened by the weight of worldly affairs. The Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, along with the five desires, will no longer find a home in your heart.
A Call to the Fourfold Assembly
My dear fourfold assembly of disciples, I ask you: do you wish to be one who carries a full heart, or one who cultivates an empty mind? In your practice, you must encourage yourselves to chant Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart. Let this sincerity be your guide, and let the Buddha-name be the vessel that carries you toward the purity of the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo.
