Returning to simplicity and truth means to return to the original, unadorned, and pure state of your being. My dear children, regardless of how your current the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness may appear to others, you must understand that these are not your true nature. Your true self is something that every single being possesses inherently. It is the original nature that has always been within you, waiting to be rediscovered.
This true self is inherently endowed with countless virtues. It is pure, kind, simple, and true. It is the embodiment of , wisdom, and vast mind-capacity. It is inclusive, joyful, contented, stable, dignified, equal, and luminous. It is a state of being that is fully autonomous and naturally draws others to learn and grow. It is the most beautiful and authentic version of who you are.
The Layers of Obstruction
Why, then, do we feel so far from this state? It is because, at present, your true self is covered up by layers upon layers of afflictions, the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness. Because of these coverings, you are unable to be the master of your own life. The personality you display, the expressions you wear, and the actions you take are often not truly yours. Instead, they are influenced and controlled by various external forces:
: Spirits from your past who seek balance for previous harms.
Attached spirits: Beings who reside within and influence your thoughts and actions.
Demon crowds: Negative influences that thrive on confusion and discord.
Karmic forces: The accumulated results of your past actions that dictate your current circumstances.
Whether these manifestations seem good or bad, they are not your original face. They are not the real you.
The Cycle of Suffering and
When you allow yourself to be controlled by these karmic forces, you are not acting from your true nature. You are acting from a place of the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness. The emotions you feel, the expressions you show, the mental notes you make, and the of your Six Roots are all distorted by these external influences. Because of this, you inadvertently create new negative causes and continue to reap negative results. In this state, life is often filled with more suffering than happiness.
If you do not stop these negative causes and actions while you are experiencing the consequences, you will only continue to create more negative karma. If you continue down this path, how will you ever wake up from the long dream of the cycle of rebirth? This is the fundamental question that every practitioner must face.
The Path of Diligent Purification
Students of Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, your practice today is precisely about addressing this situation. You must recognise that when your body is controlled by karmic forces, you are not truly autonomous. Therefore, you must be fiercely diligent in your practice. You must engage in continuous purification:
Purify and purify again: Constantly cleanse your mind of impurities.
Cultivate goodness: Seek to be more kind and compassionate in every thought.
Change personality traits: Work to transform your ego and selfishness, changing and changing again until the old habits are gone.
You must continue this work until you reach a state of and no-selfishness. This is how you return to simplicity and truth. By doing so, you will finally see the original, simple, pure, luminous, and truly autonomous self that has been there all along. .
