The Eternal Present Moment

The Nature of the Present Moment

The present moment is inherently empty. Every passing second, every fleeting minute, and every breath you take is the present moment. When you truly realise your true self-nature, you will understand that there is no high or low, no superior or inferior. All your delusions, discriminations, and attachments are merely obstacles that cloud this inherent clarity.

In your diligent practice, you must learn to let go of the ego. When the heart is empty of self-clinging, the true self-nature reveals itself naturally. This emptiness is not a void; it is the state where your true self-nature shines forth. If you cling to the concept of emptiness, you lose the present moment. To be at ease and follow the conditions of life is to be truly present.

Awakening to the True Self

There is not a single thing, not a single speck of dust, that can obscure the clarity of an awakened being. Although you may realise your true self-nature, you must remain free from the concepts of impurity and purity, and free from flawed thoughts. This state is immediate; it is constant and eternal. You must know that the nature of all things is empty. Every step you take and every thought that arises is the present moment. It is natural, and it has always existed.

The virtue of all things is bright, and the nature of the mind is inherently empty. When you see your own heart, you will find that there is no other present moment to seek. Whether in darkness or in light, the present moment is clear. Even in a single instant, the present moment is revealed. Within the snap of your fingers, there are many present moments. In every fleeting instant, you must awaken and know that your life exists only in the present.

The Path of Diligent Practice

To all the Bodhisattvas in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, do you understand that life exists only in the present? When you listen to sutras and hear the Dharma, you are learning the preciousness of this life. You must know how to grasp the present moment, refrain from all evil deeds, and diligently perform all virtuous acts.

When you listen to Practitioner Su deliver Dharma talks, you are learning how to change your personality traits and adjust your heart. This is to ensure your heart becomes purely good, allowing you to save more beings. By doing so, you enable more people to reach out and save others in turn. To pass on the Buddha’s teachings without any selfish desire is the only way to reach the state of an awakened being. This is not a goal that can be achieved in a single lifetime if you hold onto personal attachments. You must examine your own heart and be mindful of what thoughts you are harbouring.

Cultivating Clarity of Mind

To all the Bodhisattvas in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, how is your present moment right now? Are you feeling dull and heavy, or are you clear and bright? Can you maintain your awareness, and where is your heart directed? You must know how to find your way back. Gather your heart and mind, observe yourself with immediate clarity, and focus intently on listening to the Dharma. Every word and every sentence you hear is the present moment.

Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha

The interview message was recorded by the chief writer, the Buddha's disciple, Shi Haiyuan.