The Heart of the Buddha: The Path of Faith

The Distinction Between Impermanence and Awakening

My dear children, can you truly perceive the reality of your current situation? Are you drifting in the currents of impermanence, or have you begun to realise your true nature? It is the great fortune of the students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to be able to distinguish between the fleeting nature of impermanence and the eternal truth of the true self.

Those who have realised their true nature can perceive the past, the present, and the future. Because they see with such clarity, their actions in the present moment are always directed towards the noble goal of saving the world and rescuing infinite suffering beings. Conversely, those who have not yet transformed their karma remain trapped within the cycle of rebirth, bound by the heavy forces of karma and the constant fluctuations of impermanence. They act according to the dictates of their karma, which is to say, they act according to the demands of their karmic creditors.

The Heavy Burden of Karmic Debt

Because karmic creditors and the individual are locked in a relationship governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect, everything proceeds according to these rigid patterns. When one creates negative causes through Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, or through wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep, one will inevitably reap the corresponding evil consequences. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the manifestations of these evil consequences. One must endure what one has sown; this is the nature of the cycle of suffering.

When you are in the midst of receiving the results of your past actions, how can you escape the pain? This is the helplessness of being subject to impermanence, where one cannot be the master of one's own destiny. However, if one has realised their true nature, one remains in a state of absolute clarity. Such a person does not create new causes of suffering, and therefore, they do not suffer the evil consequences. Their heart remains unmoved, possessing deep meditative concentration, and they are no longer controlled by the forces of karma or the influence of karmic creditors.

The Stillness of the Awakened Heart

In all that they do, say, and think, the awakened being is motivated entirely by the compassion of the true self. Seeing the suffering of beings, their heart of compassion arises, and they vow to resolve that suffering. Therefore, regardless of the time, space, or environment they find themselves in, and regardless of the beings they encounter and teach, their words and actions are perfectly suited to the situation. To the observer, their body may appear to be in motion, but in truth, their heart remains perfectly still. It is only within this stillness that one can clearly perceive the nature of impermanence and the constant changes of the world.

Those who have realised their true nature understand the karmic conditions and the causes and effects behind the suffering of others. Often, they understand the situation far better than the person who is actually suffering. Because they can see the past and understand the present, they can identify the root of the suffering and address it from the very foundation. Yet, those who are suffering often remain unaware, lacking the necessary awareness, and allow themselves to be bound by their pain. They are controlled by the power of their karma, following the path laid out by their past actions. At such a time, if they are fortunate enough to encounter a Buddha or Bodhisattva and a true spiritual friend, they have the opportunity to transform their karma, but they must be willing to put in the work.

Purifying the Alaya Consciousness

Impermanence and the realisation of the true self both arise from the heart. Therefore, the primary task is to put in the work on your heart, for the heart has the power to influence and master both the Body-Mind-Spirit. You must reflect upon your heart at this very moment: is it being led by the karmic creditors of impermanence, or is it being led by your true self? If it is led by karmic creditors, your Body-Mind-Spirit will be used to seek revenge and repay grievances, and you will continue to progress along the path of karma.

This will cause your heart to be restless and agitated, leading to impermanence and the six realms of rebirth, causing the body to age and fall ill, and leaving the spirit unsettled or even fragmented. This is why all beings of the six realms of rebirth exist in a state of constant agitation and impermanence. If, however, your true self is the master, your heart will remain still and constant. When the true self is revealed, the awakened being is no longer subject to impermanence and can move freely and at ease. In the context of the Buddha’s teachings, realising the true nature is the process of transforming the Alaya consciousness into the Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom. The Alaya consciousness is the storehouse where the pollutions and confusion of accumulated lifetimes have been stored. As these pollutions are gradually removed, the pure nature naturally manifests. Everything stored within the Alaya consciousness does not simply disappear; rather, it is purified until it becomes perfectly pure and good, at which point it merges with the true self. Thus, the original Alaya consciousness is no longer a source of pollution or karma, but a source of pure goodness and light. This is your original face. Namo Amituofo.