The Heart of Respect: Teachings from Bodhisattva Asvaghosa
An Interview with Bodhisattva Asvaghosa
Recorded on June 22, 2019
The Essential Foundation of Respect
The Buddha’s teachings are sought through the heart of respect. This has been an essential and indispensable attitude for all who seek the since ancient times. There is a well-known saying: "One part sincerity brings one part benefit; ten parts sincerity brings ten parts benefit." This is a truth that every practitioner must keep firmly in their heart.
What does it mean to have a heart of respect? It is to be humble, sincere, and reverent. When you are truly respectful, you set aside your own subjective views and opinions. Only then can you merge with the water of the Dharma, washing away the dust accumulated over countless lifetimes. Only then can the Buddha-light of your own true self manifest.
The Teacher and the Student
What is it that the seeker of the Dharma truly desires? And what is it that the teacher imparts? The Dharma has no fixed form. A teacher observes the capacity and state of mind of the seeker at that specific time and place, and then speaks accordingly. For those with sharp roots, a teacher can point out the obstacles in a single sentence, allowing the seeker to open their wisdom, untie their inner knots, disperse the clouds of confusion, and realise their true self. For those with average or lesser roots, the teacher provides a path to follow so they do not stray into wrong directions. This is the precious value of a true spiritual friend. This is why, even if it requires great hardship, travelling long distances, or crossing mountains, one seeks out a renowned teacher—to receive even a single word or sentence of their teachings.
Navigating the Age of the Dharma’s Decline
The atmosphere of the world today is vastly different from the past. Various forms of the Dharma Jewel are available everywhere, but one must be extremely cautious. How can you distinguish between the True Teachings and false paths? In this age of the Dharma’s decline, the true and the false are mixed together, and the True Teachings are difficult to hear and encounter. The Buddha taught us that in this age of the Dharma’s decline, the Dharma Gate is the path to achievement. Now that the public has the opportunity to hear the True Teachings of the Pure Land, you must not let this opportunity pass by.
The True Attitude for Hearing the Dharma
Those who seek the Dharma with a heart of respect are able to sincerely accept the advice given to them. They are willing to change their ways, and because of this, they receive the true benefits of the Dharma. What is this "sincere heart"? It is a heart without defenses, without suspicion, without hesitation, and without concern for personal gain, loss, or . It is a heart of total acceptance and practice. Especially when you listen to sutras and hear the Dharma, you must empty your heart of personal views and opinions. When you do this, you receive the benefits of the Dharma the very moment you listen.
If you bring a critical mindset, watching and listening with the intent to judge, you have already built a barrier in your heart. You are not truly open to instruction. Even if you gain some new understanding, it will be limited, and you will not be able to receive the full benefit. It is truly a pity to miss out on such rare teachings. Letting go of what you have known and learned in the past is the proper attitude when hearing the True Teachings. It is a sign of respect for the teacher and a way to help yourself elevate the energy of your life.
Creating Eternal Life
Being able to encounter the magnificent Pure Land Dharma Gate is the result of your own good roots, , and Causal Conditions manifesting. You should open your heart and listen to the Dharma with respect. If you can do this, the and disasters within your body will also hear the Dharma, understand the truth, and realise the suffering of the cycle of reincarnated life and the impermanence of life. You should use this precious human body to engage in True Cultivation and create eternal life. What is eternal life? It is to no longer enter the cycle of reincarnated life. When your Causal Conditions in this world come to an end, your spirit can enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the gate to the immortality of the spirit.
The Pure Land Path to Immortality
The meaning of the Pure Land lies in the heart. When the heart is pure, there is meditative concentration. When -Mind-Spirit is purified and settled, your thoughts become pure. Eventually, you enter a state of no-thought and no-reflection, and you naturally see the empty nature of your true self. When this happens, karmic obstacles and karmic creditors disappear, and you naturally become free from illness. If you have not heard the Dharma, how could you know that the gate of the Pure Land can lead to a state of no illness and no death? You must have a true spiritual friend to guide you. You must know, then enter, and after entering, you must understand and practise. The state of no illness and no death will naturally manifest from your body.
People in this world search in a hundred ways for the gate of immortality. It is not that it cannot be found, but that they do not know where to look. Do not search outside yourself; you must find it within your own heart. You must know that the body is a combination of the four elements. When the Causal Conditions end, the elements separate and the body decays. However, if your spirit can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, that is immortality, and you will be forever free from the suffering of the cycle of reincarnated life.
- Realising your true self leads to no illness.
- Rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss leads to no death.
This is the magnificent benefit of the Pure Land Dharma Gate. Namo Amituofo has opened this gate of immortality for all people and sentient beings. If you can have faith, vow to be reborn in the West, and hold the name of Namo Amituofo with unceasing practice, you will receive the protection and empowerment of Namo Amituofo and see your wishes fulfilled. In this life, let us join together with all beings, ride the Buddha-vow, and sail toward the Western Land.
This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library