The Essence of One Heart
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Recorded on December 17, 2019
This interview with Venerable Yongning was recorded on December 17, 2019. Having sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, the Venerable shares profound reflections on the nature of the heart and the path of spiritual practice. This record was transcribed by the disciple Shi Faxin.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. When we engage in spiritual practice, what is the true purpose of our heart? How much of our day is spent in genuine stillness? Like passing clouds, can we truly be in sync with the , or are we merely drifting through a thousand different distractions? Under the instinctual manifestations of our daily lives, how much have we truly awakened? When we practise, we must look back at the state of our own hearts. Are they cluttered and layered with confusion, or have we returned to a state of simplicity? Are we lost in delusion, or is there a flicker of within?"
The Path to True Awakening
"Everything we do in our practice is ultimately meant to help us achieve this awakening. In the very moment we act, are we truly feeling the presence of the Dharma? There is wisdom to be found everywhere. Why does Practitioner Su often say that performing Buddha-work is the same as spiritual practice? It is because, in those moments, one’s heart and actions are in a state of perfect equilibrium. That state of stillness is a balance, a sense of ease and freedom within the Buddha-heart and the Buddha-mind, allowing us to follow the natural flow of the universe."
"If I am to you as you are to me, where does the spinning top finally come to rest? Where is the true home for our hearts in this very moment? How often do we truly let go and allow ourselves to be natural? Spiritual practice does not mean forcing things. But what, then, is diligent practice? You are the one who knows yourself best. You must be aware of your current state and the feedback your physical body gives you. You must observe and perceive your own nature. You must first save your own personality and ego before you can ever hope to save others."
Living the Dharma in Daily Life
"The mundane tasks of life—the firewood, the rice, the oil, the salt, the vinegar, and the tea—these are all part of our existence. Yet, we must learn to live our practice and practise within our living. Whether we take a step forward or a step back, we must aim for the state of . When there is nothing to possess and nothing to gain, the heart becomes pure and natural. The world you see will then be transformed. This true, natural state is a manifestation of our original nature. In every step we take, we can find profound realisation."
"Across different spaces and different times, we can gradually come to understand the suffering of all beings. Suffering is a transformation of and mind. True practice allows one to become a light that illuminates the starry sky. This is not about seeking fame or fortune; it is about generating a heart of great . Throughout the universe, the myriad manifestations of sentient beings are all reflections of the heart-nature. By injecting the factors of purity and Goodness into the world, we influence the many through the one. We use the compassionate power of the Buddha to save all beings extensively."
The Boundless Heart of Practitioner Su
"This is exactly what Practitioner Su does every single morning. It is a work that never ceases, a work that is infinitely varied. It is the in action, moving the boundless through a heart of infinite capacity. To act with One Heart is to act from the true self-nature. Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library