The Essence of One Heart
Teachings from Master Xuanzang
Recorded on 30 May 2019
The Singularity of the Mind
30 May 2019
What is the meaning of One Heart? It is the state of being singular, where there is no second thought. A mind without duality is called One Heart. One Heart is absolute focus; with it, one can accomplish great things. Conversely, a mind split by two intentions is distracted, and such a mind finds it difficult to succeed in any endeavour.
The Buddha originally has no mind of His own. Because sentient beings possess minds, He responds to them with , meeting mind with mind. This concept of One Heart is a skillful means. In truth, there is no mind to grasp. Even if one speaks of emptiness containing the one, that one is still an object of attachment. To hold onto the one is still an attachment—an attachment to existence. Only the state of no-mind is true; it is a state that contains all things without being limited by them.
The Compassion of Namo Amituofo
When all things return to the void, sentient beings facing the Buddha are often not in a state of One Heart, but are instead caught in dualistic thinking. One intention is for ; the second is for the Buddha. If sentient beings face the Buddha with a singular heart, they will awaken to their true self. The one represents focus, while the two represents separation. The mind must be focused to achieve anything of significance. Tasks are varied, and their applications are many; whatever the application, it must be for the sake of all sentient beings.
Sentient beings are everywhere. They exist in all spaces: on land, in the depths of the sea, or in the air. They may even reside within . They are omnipresent. It is only through karmic affinity that we are able to gather together. The heart of Namo Amituofo is moved by the suffering of all beings. To resolve this suffering, He established the of Ultimate Bliss. The holy name of Namo Amituofo can be chanted by everyone. He does not abandon a single soul.
The Unified Practice of the
If you chant the Buddha’s name with a heart that is truly one, you are focused on both chanting and spreading the Dharma. With one heart, you take refuge; with one heart, you offer prostrations. The state of deep peace and wisdom is one. Your true self and Buddha-nature are both singular. To awaken to your true self is to realise there is no duality. The six paramitas all merge into one. The only way to awaken is to realise that the nature of emptiness is one.
Chant the Buddha’s name with one heart. Recite the Sutras with one heart. Perform prostrations with one heart. Listen to the Dharma with one heart. Participate in the Dharma assembly with one heart. Save beings with one heart. Practise the , Concentration, and Wisdom as one. Align your body, speech, and mind as one. There is no past mind, and no future mind. There is only the present moment. Live in the present with one heart.
The Journey to the Western Pure Land
When you enter the temple, follow Practitioner Su closely. Save beings with one heart—a heart that is singular and without duality. Have no other intentions. The fourfold assembly must be of one heart, fearing nothing and shrinking from no difficulty. Engage in diligent practice and purification until you awaken to your true self. Through the power of the , perform and achieve success in your skills.
From the age of zero to one hundred, the goal is to find your true self and be reborn in the Western Pure Land. All of this is achieved through one heart. We all share the same goal: to leave suffering behind, to find liberation from the cycle of rebirth, to avoid falling into the six realms of existence, and to spread the Dharma together. Together, we propagate the teachings to continue the Dharma lineage. Together, we steer the ship of the Dharma directly into the Western Pure Land. This message was written by the disciple Venerable HaiZe.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library