The Illusion of Distance

The Question of Distance

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, as we gather to invite spirits and offer our midday meal, we contemplate the nature of our existence. We often look out at the world and ask ourselves: Is the horizon truly distant? Are the ends of the earth truly far away? We wonder if the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, located ten trillion Buddha-lands away, is a distant destination. We ponder if the vastness of the universe is an insurmountable gap that separates us from the Buddha.

The Heart as the True Measure

However, Namo Amituofo teaches us that distance is merely a distinction created by the heart. It is not a matter of physical measurement or external space. Whether one is living a secular life or walking the path of practice, the distance is determined entirely by the heart. Whether one is in the world or appearing in the world, it is all a matter of the heart.

Transcending the Boundaries of Self

If one sees the horizon and the ends of the earth as one body; if one sees the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, ten trillion Buddha-lands away, as reachable in a single instant; if one, through the practice of raising one's spiritual nature, transcends the distinction between self and other; and if one, by appearing in the world, allows the Buddha’s teachings to flow continuously to save all beings, then the perception of distance dissolves.

The Eternal Moment of Awakening

There is neither near nor far, no difference in time or space; this is the moment of realising one's true nature. When the mind is still and the heart is clear, the barriers we have built between ourselves and the infinite dissolve. We are no longer bound by the limitations of the world, for we have found the path that leads directly to the heart of the Buddha. May you cherish this understanding and continue your practice with a steadfast heart.

Namo Amituofo