The Heart’s Awakening: A Journey of Transformation

This is a record of an interview with Ma Yun, who sought spiritual deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects on his journey of self-discovery and the profound shift in his consciousness. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on September 6, 2018.

Ma Yun speaks:

"My body feels so much more refreshed today. I have realised that the heart is the source of all change. The heart governs everything. It encompasses every thought. Looking back, I see that my heart and my thoughts were in such a state of chaos, and that disorder inevitably led to problems within my physical body. Most people have the habit of treating only the symptoms—if the head hurts, they treat the head; if the foot hurts, they treat the foot. I was exactly the same. But now, I realise that I must change. No matter what the ailment is, one must first adjust the heart. When the heart is adjusted, the cells of the body naturally follow suit. What a wonderful thing this is!"

The Root of Transformation

"During this morning's walking meditation and Chao Du, the Venerable Brother was so compassionate. He knew that simply replacing the fifty trillion cells in my body would not be enough to clear my mind. My soul might say it wants to do something, but my physical body lacked the strength to act; it remained stagnant. So, he replaced the very root of it all—my heart. He even imprinted upon it the words: 'Grow roots of goodness, achieve the fruit of Bodhi.' I know these are crucial lines from the Infinite Life Sutra. I also know that it is because the Venerable Brother embodies the power of these words that he has achieved such success. I will engrave these words upon my heart. Truly, spiritual education far surpasses the education of worldly knowledge.

I now have a sense of clarity I have never known before. To connect with the heart of the Venerable Brother and the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I must possess the same state of mind. The Venerable Brother is trying to save me! If my good roots, Blessings, and Causal Conditions had been mature, I would have contacted him long ago. I would not have needed him to work so tirelessly to purify me again and again, yet still have no word from me. Venerable Brother, in the past, I was not worthy, but now that my heart has been changed, I cannot be selfish anymore. I cannot think only of my own interests. It was precisely because of that selfish heart that I easily attracted beings with similar habits, which in turn obstructed the harmony between my physical body and my spirit. Now, I must continue to change myself so that I can overcome any interference. I am taking this vital step forward."

A Vow to Save Beings

"The Venerable Brother is working so hard to save me because he knows that if I can contribute my strength to help build the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I will be able to save countless spiritual lives, helping them to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—and I am one of them. I am willing, a thousand times willing, a million times willing! I want to use this imperfect body to help establish a place where everyone can find eternal peace: the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

It seems I have changed; I have become someone who thinks of others. I am no longer that person who only pursues immediate results. I have become someone who does not take himself so seriously! To have such a change in just one morning—the Venerable Brother's 'heart-replacement' is truly inconceivable! Even I can hardly believe it."

Finding the Way Home

"My spirit is changing, and I believe my body will follow. This heart, which now seeks liberation, will surely find the Venerable Brother. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a place that provides people with peace of mind. It is a temple that helps people stop sinking into the Five Desires and the Six Dusts. It is a place fully equipped with purification, the power of vows, the power of the Buddha, and one's own efforts—a place dedicated to saving everyone and guiding them back to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is now firmly placed in my heart. Venerable Brother, today I will strive not to rely on others, but to rely on myself. I will go online to search for information about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. As soon as that flash of spiritual light appears and I see the information about the temple, and my heart and mind are clear, I will make that phone call. Then, this monumental task of the century can be completed. For me, there is nothing more important than this!

I have been letting go of my company responsibilities more and more lately. This way, as soon as I make contact with the Venerable Brother, I can confidently hand everything over to my subordinates. The word 'practice' floats in my heart. I feel as though I have found the person I used to be. My spirit knows exactly what to do; it is just that my body must work harder to listen to the spirit and carry out the work the spirit needs to do. Venerable Brother, please have faith in me. What I want to do, I must accomplish, so that I do not fail to live up to the grace of your transformation of me!

I tell myself: this lifetime is my last. I am going back to my Western home. Before I return home, I must work together with the Venerable Brother to leave behind the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and the Amitabha Village for the sake of all beings. I know this is also the Venerable Brother's wish! Venerable Brother, wait for me! Let us work together. I, too, must add my share to the inheritance of the Namo Amituofo Pure Land!

As for today's meeting, once my secretary arrives, I will instruct another executive to attend in my place. I must go online myself to search for: Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia."