My dear children, as you sit here today, is your heart empty or is it full? This is a question that strikes at the very core of your spiritual journey. To understand the path of the , one must first discern the state of one's own mind. An 'Empty Mind' may appear to be void of substance, yet it is a state of infinite potential. It is a mind that knows exactly what it needs to know, precisely when it needs to know it. In contrast, a 'Full Mind' is one that is cluttered with the weight of existence. It is a mind 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 profound clarity that remains consistent regardless of time or place. When your heart is empty of attachments, you maintain a sense of inner coolness and peace. This state is characterised by several beautiful qualities:
: You are filled with the boundless happiness that comes from the Truth.
Lightness and ease: You move through the world with a sense of freedom, unburdened by worldly concerns.
Unshakeable peace: No matter what external events occur, your heart remains unmoved.
Gratitude and joy: You naturally perceive the goodness in all things.
Wisdom and awareness: You are able to perform good deeds and see the true nature of reality.
Acute perception: You are keenly aware of the changes in the people, events, and environments around you, yet you remain unmoved.
Because you are unmoved, your mind becomes a fertile ground where all things can manifest in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
The Burdens of a Full Mind
Conversely, what does it mean to have a 'Full Mind'? It is a mind that has lost its original purity because it is crowded with the debris of the ego. This state is defined by the following burdens:
Delusion, discrimination, and attachment: These three poisons cloud your perception of reality.
Constant comparison: You are trapped in cycles of judging high and low, good and bad, gain and loss.
Emotional entanglement: You are weighed down by personal , family ties, and various worldly obstacles.
The : Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt constantly stir the waters of your heart.
The : You are driven by the pursuit of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
When your heart is full of these things, it is difficult to find true coolness or ease. You are constantly preoccupied with worldly affairs, and it becomes hard to express a genuine, peaceful smile.
The Path of Purification
How, then, does one transition from a 'Full Mind' to an 'Empty Mind'? For those who sincerely chant the name of , the answer lies in the practice itself. As you chant Namo Amituofo, let the Buddha-name flow continuously, like a stream that never ceases. This practice acts as pure water, washing away the impurities stored within your heart. It purifies your mind and resolves the conflicts of the 'Full Mind,' allowing you to enter the state of the 'Empty Mind.'
When you reach this state, you naturally 'see through' and 'let go' of your burdens. Where then would the delusion, discrimination, and attachment remain? Where would the cycles of comparison, gain, and loss exist? The heat of frustration, the weight of worldly affairs, and the inability to smile will all dissolve. You will no longer be driven by the Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, nor the wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
My dear fourfold assembly of disciples, I ask you: do you wish to be one who carries a 'Full Mind' or one who cultivates an 'Empty Mind'? In your Pure Land practice, you must encourage yourselves to chant Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart. Let this be your daily commitment, your refuge, and your path to ultimate liberation.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
