The Essence of Awakening

Namo Amituofo's discourse, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on the twenty-third of July, 2022. Namo Amituofo teaches us that having a place of awakening is of paramount importance on the path of practice.

What does it mean to have a place of awakening? It is a profound moment of clarity that transforms the practitioner from within.

The Unfolding of Wisdom

Think of this awakening as the act of untying the knots that have long held your spirit captive. It is like clearing the blockages that have hindered the flow of your life force, or like dispersing stagnant blood so that the body may heal. When these obstructions are removed, your entire body and heart become clear and unobstructed, leading you to the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature.

You may find this place of awakening at any moment. It is not confined to a temple or a specific time of meditative concentration. Indeed, any person, any event, or any object can serve as the catalyst for your Awakening.

The World as a Mirror of Truth

• The beauty of a single flower or a blade of grass.
• The vastness of a grain of sand or a simple stone.
• The depth of a single word spoken with sincerity.
• The subtle sound of a falling drop of water.
• The mundane noise of an object hitting the floor.

All of these are potential objects for your Awakening. They are opportunities for you to see through the illusions of this world and touch the reality of your true self. As many have heard in the classic stories of old, even the simple sound of rain falling upon banana leaves can be the very moment one finally understands the Truth.

The Purity Required for Syncing

What are the conditions for such an Awakening? First and foremost, you must be a person of purification, free from the stains of greed, anger, and ignorance. Only when you are unpolluted can you be in sync with the environment around you. When your heart is pure, what you see and hear will naturally align with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Only then can you attain a genuine and authentic realisation.

Furthermore, you must learn to live entirely in the present moment. Do not be tainted by the shadows of the past or the anxieties of the future. To be free from the influence of previous conditions and future attachments is the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature.

The Innocence of the True Self

The ability to awaken is not limited by age. It is a common misconception that those with a wealth of life experience are more likely to find this place of awakening. In truth, a life filled with too many worldly experiences can often leave one covered in dust. If your heart is burdened by the accumulation of worldly affairs, your capacity for Awakening may become clouded and contaminated. Even if you have moments of insight, you may still remain far from the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature.

Conversely, young children often possess a pure and untainted capacity for Awakening. They are closer to the true self, which is inherently pure and full of Goodness. This innocence is truly precious. Awakening is the most important task for any practitioner of the Buddha's path. It is a journey that takes place within your own heart, not in the actions or opinions of others. You must look within to find the light that has always been there. Namo Amituofo