The Difficulty of Becoming an Awakened Being
Teachings from Namo Amituofo
A Dialogue Recorded on July 14, 2017
The Mirage of the World
On the fourteenth of July, 2017, a disciple humbly approached the Buddha, seeking guidance on the path of spiritual practice. The disciple asked, "May the Buddha compassionately protect this child. Please, Buddha, grant us compassionate teachings to illuminate our way." Namo Amituofo responded with profound wisdom, addressing the fundamental confusion that plagues all sentient beings in this world.
In this world, what you see is a mixture of the true and the illusory. You often mistake the true for the illusory, and the illusory for the true. This truth and illusion are like a dream. If you have not yet reached the state of an awakened being, how can you distinguish between what is real and what is merely a phantom? In this age of the decline of the , becoming an awakened being is truly not easy. Your hearts are filled with delusive thoughts flying around, constantly creating obstacles to your clarity.
The Chains of Attachment
You are trapped by your own habits. You constantly make discriminations between 'you' and 'me,' and you hold onto your attachments without letting go. How can you possibly realise the truth while your heart is bound by these chains? Consider the past; every moment that has passed has already vanished, leaving nothing behind but the seeds of . You live in the present, yet you allow it to slip away, empty and unfulfilled. The future, with its myriad appearances, is entirely shaped by the workings of your own heart. If you do not stop these mental fabrications, you will remain lost in a sea of illusions.
When you seek the truth, you must look within your own heart. If you fear that everything is an illusion, then realise that both the 'true' and the 'illusory' are ultimately empty. Only then can you call it reality. Reality has nowhere to come from and nowhere to go; all coming and going are merely empty manifestations. Anything is possible when you understand that space is infinite and time is infinite. In truth, time and space are naturally flowing and unobstructed. You can come and go with , for your original nature is already perfect and complete. At the right moment, this will be revealed to you without any hindrance.
Through Humility and Sincerity
If you are lost in a dream, you will cling to what you think is 'yours.' You cling to what you possess, what you seek, and what you desire. This is merely adding more illusions to a dream. When will you finally wake up? There are countless spirits and countless illusions filling this space. You may live a simple life, wearing coarse cloth and drinking plain tea, wandering through this illusory world. If you are not deluded by these appearances, you can exist within them without being controlled by them. This is the beginning of true reality.
Whether you have been sinking in the sea of karma for a single moment or for many lifetimes, you must wake up. Let reside in your heart, cultivate your good roots through your actions, and maintain sincerity and respect within your inner being. Be humble in your outward conduct. Remember these teachings and practise them diligently. If you become even slightly lax, your karma will immediately arise to distract you. True practice is to understand that even the smallest particle in the universe, though it may vary in size, is identical in its fundamental essence. If you continue to make discriminations, you are violating the truth. To save all beings is the true path; to cling to the 'self' is to follow a false one.
The Oneness of All Beings
Treat all beings as you treat yourself, and you will naturally save them as well. When you realise that all beings and your own self are one, this is the truth. You must clearly distinguish between the true and the false to purify your heart, cleanse your body, and bring peace to your spirit. Use meditative concentration to steady your movements, and use wisdom to illuminate your stillness. Let your words be fragrant with , and let your intentions be pure. The most precious aspects of learning from the Buddha are your spirit, your cultivation, your conduct, and your ability to let go of the ego. It is about having no delusive thoughts, realising the truth, and transcending until you are one with all. This oneness is natural; it is the way things are. Embrace all things with a smile, for you are already within that oneness. Namo Amituofo.
This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, acting as chief writer.
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