High and low, big and small—in our daily lives, these terms represent two ends of a relative spectrum. Whether we are discussing material objects, our physical bodies, our professional roles, or our seniority in a community, we often find ourselves caught in a web of measurement. Because people are accustomed to judging, analysing, and comparing, we inevitably create distinctions of high and low, big and small. Within the constant fluctuations of our minds, and based on our past experiences and ingrained concepts, we develop different ways of treating others and handling various situations. We do not see things as they are; we see them through the lens of our own preferences and biases.
The Burden of Discrimination
It is precisely within this process of discrimination, comparison, and reaction that we form the and the causes and effects of good and evil. This is the very reason why people remain trapped within the six realms of rebirth. Because we lack the perspective of equality, we create endless suffering and afflictions for ourselves. We cling to these distinctions, and in doing so, we bind ourselves to the cycle of samsara. We must realise that this inequality is not inherent in the world, but is a projection of our own clouded minds.
The Wisdom of the Awakened
Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and those who have realised their true nature walk through this world with a different perspective. They understand the fundamental truth that all beings possess the same Buddha-nature and are therefore fundamentally equal. When they appear to make distinctions of high and low, big and small, it is not out of attachment or ego. Rather, it is done under the great premise of respecting all beings, and only because the actual environment or the need to teach and transform beings requires it. Even when they engage in such behaviour, their hearts remain unmoved. They possess the ability to be active on the outside while remaining perfectly still on the inside. Because their hearts are not attached to these distinctions, they do not create negative , and they remain free from the stains of worldly defilement.
Transforming Karma Through the Mind
These two ways of living—one driven by attachment and the other by wisdom—lead to vastly different results. This is the fundamental difference between the mind of an ordinary person and the mind of a practitioner. To practise is to cultivate the mind. By putting in the work at the level of the heart, by adjusting our thoughts, and by changing our ways, we find the fastest method to transform karma. Our mental fluctuations are closely related to the cause and effect of good and evil. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious with every thought and intention that arises within you.
The Path to True Stillness
Before a practitioner has successfully transformed their karma and realised their true nature, their thoughts and reasoning are often heavily influenced by the physical body. We are constantly trapped in a cycle of self-centred :
I receive: We focus on what we gain or lose in every interaction.
I think: We rely on our limited, subjective logic to interpret the world.
I feel: We are swayed by our emotional responses to external stimuli.
I touch: We are attached to sensory experiences and physical comfort.
I act: We move through the world based on these ego-driven impulses.
People often mistake these patterns for the normal state of existence, yet they are the very obstacles that hinder our practice. This is why diligent practice is of the utmost importance. You must chant until every single thought is a thought of the Buddha. You must chant until you reach a state where you are chanting, yet there is no sense of a chanter; where there is no thought, yet the chanting continues. You must chant until you reach a state of , no selfishness, and no wandering thoughts.
The Ultimate Realisation
When you chant until the manifests, your heart will become still and unmoved, eventually leading you to realise your true nature. At that point, you will possess the skill of being active on the outside while your heart remains unmoved. In that state of perfect equality, even if you must make distinctions of high and low, big and small to save and teach other beings, you will be able to flow naturally with the without creating any karma. Namo Amituofo.
