The Clarity of the Awakened Heart

During the solemn proceedings of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we gather to reflect on the profound teachings of the Pure Land. In the second session, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers us a deep reflection on the nature of clarity and the path to true understanding.

The Mirror of the Mind

What is this heart that is so clear? What is this body that is so crystalline? These questions invite us to look inward, beyond the surface of our daily lives. When we ask how our heart and body exist together and how we should conduct our lives, we must realise that the answers are not found in the external world. They are found within the depths of our own being.

Everything we experience is answered by the heart. If your heart is truly clear, your answers will be clear. However, if your heart is clouded, your answers will inevitably be murky. Whether your heart is clear or clouded, these states are merely reflections of your past karma. Do not dwell on how much clarity or confusion you have accumulated; instead, focus on the present moment.

The Resonance of the Buddha-Name

If you are clear right now, the Buddha-name will naturally resonate within your heart. Regardless of the questions you face, when you maintain this clarity, even the most difficult challenges dissolve into a smile, and the world finds peace. This is the power of a heart that has returned to its original state.

Transcending Impermanence

The external world is defined by impermanence. Our bodies, too, are subject to the laws of change and decay. It is common to find that we cannot master our own lives, but it is a rare and precious thing to achieve true self-mastery. When you practise the Buddha's path and attain Buddhahood, both the common and the rare become effortless. Nothing can disturb your heart when it is anchored in the truth.

The Awakened Being

The heart of an awakened being is a heart of absolute clarity. The body of our true self is a body of compassion. From this state, the crystalline Buddha-light shines forth, illuminating the darkness of the world. Let us resolve to follow the Buddha in every moment of this life, ensuring that our journey is one of constant purification.

This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe. May we all strive to maintain this clarity and walk the path of the Buddha until we reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo