Everything Arises from the Heart

During the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are reminded of a fundamental truth that governs our existence. All phenomena, without exception, arise from the heart. The Dharma itself exists specifically to resolve the suffering of all beings. When there is a heart that seeks, there is a need for the Dharma; when the heart is truly empty and still, the Dharma naturally manifests as the essence of reality.

The Heart as the Source of All Phenomena

Everything we perceive in this world is a reflection of our own heart. It is the heart that dictates the nature of our reality, shaping the world we inhabit. Consider the many ways our heart influences our experience:

• The myriad appearances of the world arise from the heart.
• The distinction between Goodness and evil is born from the heart.
• The qualities of sincerity, pure, equality, awakening, and oneness all originate from the heart.
• The perception of high and low, or the sense of inequality, arises from the heart.
• The state of being pure or defiled is determined by the heart.

When you change your heart, your actions will naturally transform, and your karma will follow this transformation. When your heart is balanced and equal, all things in your life will find their balance.

Transforming the Ordinary into the Sacred

For those who are learning to chant Buddha's name and who have truly allowed the Buddha's teachings to enter their hearts, a profound shift occurs. This is the path of the practitioner:

• Transforming the ordinary heart into the Buddha-heart.
• Transforming worldly habits into Buddha-actions.
• Aligning your personal vows with the Buddha-vows.

How does the heart arise, and who is truly in control? Is it the ego, or is it the collective consciousness of all beings? When we are caught in the cycle of rebirth, we see a distinction between ourselves and other beings. We feel that we are different, and because we are still struggling to save ourselves, we remain bound by the heavy weight of our own karma.

The Path of the Awakened Being

However, when one reaches the state of an awakened being, the perspective shifts entirely. One begins to understand the heart of all beings as one's own heart. We realise that we are not separate; we are one. In this state of realisation, we are no longer merely trying to save ourselves; we are actively working to save all beings. This is the noble path of those who have realised their true nature. By letting go of the small self, we open our hearts to the infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo, ensuring that our practice is not just for our own benefit, but for the liberation of all.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo