The Boundless Heart of Inclusivity

The Boundless Nature of the Buddha-Heart

The fundamental difference between the Buddha and ordinary beings lies entirely within the heart. The Buddha-heart is infinite, possessing a boundless capacity for inclusivity. It does not engage in discrimination, nor does it judge things as good or bad. Instead, it is the pure spirit that takes charge of all existence. The qualities of the Buddha-heart are profound and absolute:

• No-thought: It is free from the clutter of discursive thinking.
• No-self: It has transcended the illusion of a separate, permanent ego.
• No-private-agenda: It is entirely selfless, acting only for the benefit of all beings.
• Infinite capacity: It embraces the entire universe without limit.

Within our true self, everything is originally infinite, and therefore, our capacity for inclusivity is also infinite. When we align ourselves with this nature, we begin to see the world as the Buddha sees it.

The Limitations of the Human Heart

In contrast, the heart of an ordinary being is filled with discrimination and selective judgment. We constantly categorise our experiences: we see 'you' and 'me,' we perceive high and low, we distinguish between black and white, and we cling tightly to everything we encounter. Because we hold onto the concept of 'I,' we develop a sense of 'my body,' 'my feelings,' and 'my perceptions.' All of these are limited, and they create a vast distance between us and our true self.

The Practice of True Inclusivity

To return to our true nature, we must learn the practice of inclusivity. This is not merely a passive acceptance, but a transformative spiritual exercise. We must learn to include and transform the following within our practice:

• The 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness: We must observe these as they manifest, without being controlled by them.
• Confusion in attitude and speech: We must recognise the lack of clarity in our own expressions and purify them.
• Uncertainty regarding right and wrong: We must develop the wisdom to see through the fog of moral confusion.
• Spiritual attachments: We must address the influences that make it difficult for us to be truly independent and self-governing.

Merging with the Infinite

We must learn to offer our body and mind to the entire universe, just as the great practitioners of the past have done. The Buddha-body and the Buddha-heart are fused with the universe, becoming one. The Buddha is present within the dust of the world, and the dust of the world is contained within the Buddha. By practising this profound inclusivity, we dissolve the barriers between ourselves and the infinite, finally finding our way home to the Western Pure Land. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.