All suffering is not truly external; it is a manifestation of the internal heart. Because we lack true awareness, we pile suffering upon suffering. We often find ourselves despising our own actions or resenting the environment for failing to provide us with sufficient satisfaction. However, no matter how much we complain, we cannot change our circumstances through resentment alone. True change requires us to transcend. We must transcend the external world entirely. We must be willing to let go of our surroundings. Whether the environment is unfavourable or favourable, we must transcend it. We must transcend all kinds of illusory appearances and let go of all forms of contamination.
the Dormant Light Within
In the Awakening of Faith in the , we discuss the One Heart of True Suchness and the One Heart of Birth and Death. The Original Awakening is the core of our practice. How do we develop this awareness? Our Original Awakening is divided into the Original Awakening that follows contamination and the Original Awakening that is inherently pure. When we speak of the appearance of wisdom and purity, we realise that no affliction is truly an obstacle. Through the inconceivable nature of our actions, we see that even when the heart arises from a single moment of confusion, every thought and intention, and every habit formed in our practice, can be aligned with our Original Awakening. Even when we arise from a moment of non-awakening and begin to develop our Initial Awakening, the appearance of confusion does not depart from our inherent awareness. Once our Original Awakening is developed, our awareness will naturally begin to function.
The Dance of Original and Initial Awakening
Original Awakening refers to the inherent awareness that has always existed within us. It is the counterpart to Initial Awakening. Through practice in this life, we gradually break through the beginningless confusion. As we slowly become aware and awaken the source of our innate heart, this process is called Initial Awakening. Because our innate heart is not influenced by the defiled appearances of afflictions, its fundamental nature is a pure, awakened body. This is what we call Original Awakening. If our heart has already been tainted by delusions, we must rely on the internal influence of our Original Awakening—the inner function of our true heart—combined with the external influence of the Buddha’s teachings. By practising in this way, we can gradually awaken our awareness, develop a disgust for confusion, and yearn for our true nature. We will gradually sever all deluded attachments until we are once again in sync with our Original Awakening.
We rely on our Original Awakening to generate the state of non-awakening, and from that non-awakening, we begin the process of Initial Awakening. Finally, we rely on the Initial Awakening to break through the remaining confusion. Initial Awakening is the process of returning from the false to the true, based on the source of our Original Awakening. This process is divided into four distinct stages:
The Fourfold Path to Ultimate Clarity
Non-awakening: This refers to practitioners at the stage of the Ten Faiths. Although they have become aware that negative leads to suffering and have begun to let go of negative actions, they have not yet developed the wisdom to sever their afflictions. Therefore, it is called non-awakening.
Similar Awakening: This refers to those of the Two Vehicles—the Sound-Hearers and the Solitary Enlightened Ones—as well as the Bodhisattvas of the Three Sages, which include the Ten Abodes, Ten Practices, and Ten Dedications. Although they have moved away from ego-attachment and understand the truth of the emptiness of , they have not yet let go of the discriminations of attachment to the . They have only a similar, approximate taste of the truth of True Suchness.
Partial Awakening: This refers to Bodhisattvas from the First Ground to the Ninth Ground. They have already moved away from attachment to the Dharma and understand that all laws of the world are manifested by the heart and . As their practice and level of realisation rise, they gradually increase their understanding of the truth of the with each passing stage.
Ultimate Awakening:
Returning to the Source of Dharma Nature
To all the Bodhisattvas and virtuous ones in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, the Shurangama Sutra states: In practice, it is called the cause; in realisation, it is called the fruit. Based on the fruit of the Dharma that we realise, we reach different levels of awakening and achieve our final fruition. By changing our habits, our character, our attachments, and our discriminations, we can sever all confusion. When of our Original Awakening is fully revealed, we realise our true nature and achieve perfect purity. This is the stage of the wondrously awakened Buddhahood. May you all continue to practise diligently, leaving suffering behind to find true happiness.
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library
This refers to the of the Tenth Ground. Having completed their causal practices, they are in sync with the wisdom of a single thought. They perceive the original source of the heart, move away from even the most subtle thoughts, and see their true nature clearly. This is called Ultimate Awakening. From here, they reach the fruit of Buddhahood, achieving the absolute equality of the great awakening where the Initial and Original are no longer two.
