The Boundless Ocean of the Heart

The Vastness of the Heart

The ocean of the heart is boundless and without end. Throughout the countless aeons of our existence in the dusty world, we have wandered through the six realms of existence. In every one of these realms, we have left our own footprints. Within the myriad appearances of the human world, there is not a single manifestation that we have not experienced ourselves. We have played every role and walked every path, yet we remained lost in the cycle of rebirth.

The Precious Opportunity for Practice

Today, you have the rare opportunity to engage in true practice. This is not a coincidence; it is the result of the immense accumulation of good roots, Blessings, and Causal Conditions over many lifetimes. It is only because of this deep foundation that you have the precious opportunity to come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to engage in pure practice today.

The Turbulence of Karmic Habits

The actions we performed in the past have left behind deep imprints. These imprints manifest as the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, which are all integral parts of this vast ocean of the heart. The ocean of the heart is volatile and filled with crashing waves. Each new wave of thought crashes down upon the previous one, creating constant turmoil. At such times, the ocean of the heart acts like a cruel bully, leaving no room for peace or tranquillity. However, when the ocean of the heart becomes still, the winds die down and the waves subside. In that state of calm, the ocean reveals an entirely different landscape. These various states of the heart are so complex and numerous that they are difficult to describe in full.

Purification and Awakening

The heart should be like a compassionate mother, capable of embracing all the various streams that flow into it. Whether these streams are tainted or pure, once they enter this vast ocean of the heart, they can be calmed, resolved, and made whole. Practising at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where you can fully immerse your body, heart, and spirit, is the most effective method for the purification of this ocean.

You have already begun to shed your worldly attachments; do not allow yourself to be easily tainted by impurity again. Under the guidance of a true spiritual friend, continue your diligent practice. By maintaining this focus, you will surely advance toward the state of awakened being. Namo Amituofo.

Words of Namo Amituofo, Chief Writer: Venerable HaiZe