All external phenomena are subject to the law of impermanence. To be impermanent means to be in a constant state of flux, lacking any fixed or lasting form. Consider the world around you: the Earth itself undergoes the cycles of formation, dwelling, decay, and emptiness. The seasons shift from spring to summer, autumn to winter, in an endless dance of change. Even the human body is subject to the inevitable cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Throughout history, the world has been passed down from one generation to the next, yet all physical matter will eventually face destruction. This state of constant change is the manifestation of and the causes and effects that govern our existence.
Beyond the Shadows of Illusion
In the vast, beginningless and endless journey of our spiritual life, no two moments are ever truly identical. Not a single drop of time is the same as another. Because the past has already occurred, it will never return in the same way; even if a moment appears similar to a previous one, it is fundamentally different. This is because your heart is constantly changing, and the people, events, objects, and environments around you are also in a state of flux. In the eyes of the Buddha’s teachings, this impermanence is simply change—it is an illusion, not the ultimate truth. Therefore, you must not develop attachment to these fleeting phenomena, nor should you allow yourself to be bound by them.
If you look at your spiritual life from a long-term perspective, the future is also beginningless and endless. In this future, do you truly wish to continue living as you have in the past and present—trapped in a life of illusions, attachment, and the suffering caused by birth, aging, sickness, and death? You must recognise that these experiences are illusions, and in doing so, you will find what is real.
to the Radiance of the True Self
What is the truth? It is the true self and Buddha-nature that everyone inherently possesses. This truth is constant, unmoving, and pure, yet it is entirely complete. It is a realm of infinite light, free from any suffering, attachment, or bondage. It is free from the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. This truth is perfectly clear and luminous; it is naturally all-knowing and all-capable, allowing one to move freely and at ease. You may choose to know or not to know, to act or not to act. You are fully aware of the time, space, and all the people and things around you. In that state, the past, present, and future are fused into one, and there are no obstacles in space.
This is the true face of your true self, and it has been the goal of every practitioner throughout history. Once you have realised your true self, your , wisdom, , and ability to let go of things become infinite.
The Harmonious Flow of the Six Paramitas
When you reach the state of an awakened being, the Six Paramitas naturally merge and manifest, because your true self is inherently complete with them:
Generosity: The natural inclination to share and benefit all beings.
Discipline: The natural alignment with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Patience: The ability to remain calm and steady amidst all challenges.
Diligent practice: The continuous, effortless effort to save all beings.
Meditation: The state of a mind that is perfectly still and clear.
Wisdom: The profound insight that sees through all illusions.
To chant Buddha's name is to integrate and embody these Six Paramitas within every single sound of the Buddha-name. The reason the Bodhisattvas use the Six Paramitas as a guide for practice is to help the practitioner find a clear direction. In truth, within your true self, there is no such distinction. You will naturally act, speak, and behave in a way that encompasses the Six Paramitas. This is the state of oneness—it is the original face of your true self.
Seeing Through the Veil of Duality
The judgements of right and wrong made by those who have realised their true nature often confuse others, who may not understand why they act as they do. This is because the concepts of right and wrong in the world are often not the truth. If you look back into the past, who was truly right and who was wrong? Often, the one who is right now was wrong in the past, and the one who is wrong now was right in the past. Therefore, those who have realised their true nature can see the full picture and recognise the truth.
What they say may often be ignored or disbelieved by the people involved, who fail to understand the importance of listening to the Buddha’s teachings. People may judge the actions of an awakened being as wrong when, in reality, they are right. This is because their perspective on right and wrong is not limited to the present moment; it is based on the root of the problem. Only by knowing the root can one find the path to a solution. To solve problems from the root and prevent them from recurring is the true benefit of recognising the truth.
