The Challenge of the Untamable Mind

The Persistent Veil of Delusion

It is said that for beings in this world, every thought and intention is nothing but karma, and every action is nothing but a source of suffering. Even when spiritual obstacles manifest, causing one to endure immense physical and mental anguish, many still cling to their suffering, unwilling to let it go. Even when Namo Amituofo reaches out to save them, their eyes remain blind to the truth. Their hearts are so deeply entrenched in attachment that they see the Buddha as if He were not there. Even when they are offered kind, earnest counsel or a sharp, awakening reminder, they remain mired in confusion, unable to rouse themselves from their slumber.

Why is this the case? It is because of the many manifestations of the ego. We are plagued by internal disturbances, the demands of our karmic creditors, and a lack of mature Dharma affinity. Even when a Buddha or Bodhisattva appears before them, many remain filled with doubt, unable to believe or accept the truth. Kind words fall on deaf ears, and they offer no response. These many situations reveal the stubborn nature of the ego-attachment and habits that make beings so difficult to tame.

The Roots of Resistance

What exactly is it that makes the mind so difficult to tame? Many rely on worldly intelligence and clever arguments, believing that this life is all there is. They refuse to believe in the laws of karma and cause and effect spanning the past, present, and future. They do not believe that the suffering they endure today is the result of past actions, and they are unwilling to bow their heads in repenting and admitting their mistakes.

Others believe only in what they can see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears, or verify through scientific data. They refuse to believe in the existence of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, or Namo Amituofo. They believe that success and failure are entirely in their own hands, rejecting the reality of karma, karmic creditors, and attached spirits. They deny the six realms of rebirth and the existence of spirits. To such people, the concept of oneness is inconceivable. The vastness of the Buddha’s mind-capacity, compassion, and Wisdom is not only a feeling they have never experienced, but something they find impossible to accept, often leading them to slander the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Transforming Karma Through Sincerity

We do not blame these people for their attitudes. It is simply that their Dharma affinity is not yet sufficient; they have not had the opportunity to receive the guidance of a true spiritual friend. Therefore, it is difficult for them to correct their erroneous views. Others may have had unpleasant or deceptive experiences in the past that caused them to lose faith in the Buddha’s teachings. In truth, before one has realised their true nature and transformed their karma, everything one encounters and does is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. The things we must face, do, and endure in this lifetime are all self-created and self-received. Whether the cause was planted in the past or the present, the result is the same. This is the Law of Cause and Effect. We must understand this principle clearly, avoid slandering the truth, and refrain from creating further negative karma. Only by acting with firm, sincere vows can one truly transform their karma.

The Equality of the Buddha-Heart

No matter how difficult a being may be to tame, in the eyes of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they are all Buddhas. We simply treat them according to the depth of their confusion or awakening, but we treat them all as we would a Buddha. Regardless of how others treat us, we must remain respectful. In the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the objects of our respect for all Buddhas are not limited to humans; every creature in the six realms of existence possesses Buddha-nature and deserves our respect, regardless of gender, occupation, status, or age. While our methods of interaction may differ due to the maturity of our Dharma affinity, our heart of respect, equality, and reverence must remain the same. Those who can act in this way are truly of one heart with the Buddha.

The Wisdom of Skillful Means

It is said that the Buddha does not save those without Dharma affinity. This is not because the Buddha lacks compassion, but because even when offered kind words, the other party may respond with anger or hostility. If they cannot accept the truth, they only create more negative karma through their speech, mind, and body. The Buddha, in His compassion, does not force them, but waits for the right moment. Knowing that the conditions are not yet ripe, He remains tolerant and understanding, continuing to treat them with respect and sincerity. His heart remains unmoved, avoiding the creation of negative ties, and He simply follows the conditions. He waits for the opportunity to ripen, perhaps even becoming an uninvited friend to them in the future.

If the conditions are ripe for salvation, we must use compassion and Wisdom to tame the delusion, discrimination, and attachment and the deep-seated habits of the being. If the person is capable of being saved, do not become angry or discouraged by their unskillful Body, Speech, and Mind. Unless one is already an awakened being who acts according to the situation, reacting with anger or distancing oneself will only create more karma. Instead, remain flexible and use skillful means. Perhaps this person is a vessel for the truth, and a single word, a look, or an action from you could be the catalyst for their awakening.

The Path of No-Self

Even for practitioners, when the ego and habits manifest, the mind remains difficult to tame. The ego is our greatest enemy. Taming the mind is a major task in our practice, and no-self is the essential path we must walk. The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and ancestral masters have passed down their experiences so that we, the juniors, may learn to correct our ways and avoid creating negative karma. Yet, we remain difficult to tame. Often, we only adjust our thoughts after suffering, feeling shame and repenting. Even then, we may repeat our mistakes. A wise person in practice listens to the teachings and acts upon them immediately, avoiding mistakes and overcoming ego-attachment. By passing through this stage of being difficult to tame, one can avoid much suffering and affliction.

The Light of the True Self

Awareness is an indispensable condition for practice. To reach Awakening, one must pass through the stage of removing filth and impurities. This is a natural process, not something added from the outside. If one is inherently pure and unstained, any test is simply a natural part of life. Even when difficult situations arise, they are not seen as tests, but as the unfolding of worldly events. The compassion and Wisdom of our true self naturally manifest, allowing us to face things with composure, without fear or terror. We can minimise harm or resolve problems effortlessly, dissolving obstacles in a state of non-attachment. Everyone benefits from this. This is the preciousness of an awakened being. Though rare, it is something we all seek to find and attain.

Everyone possesses this true self; it only awaits those with the Dharma affinity and Wisdom to develop it. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a place where one can realise this nature. Such an opportunity is as rare as the udumbara flower; may we all seize this chance to practise!

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Haiyuan.

Namo Amituofo