asks us: under what circumstances can one truly see or encounter the state of infinite vastness? Do not think, and do not ponder. If you attempt to think about it, you will destroy the reality of the present moment. If you try to imagine it, you will miss the truth entirely. To understand the infinite, one must move beyond the constraints of the conceptual mind.
When we speak of infinite vastness, we often wonder if there is a distinction between the past, the present, and the unknown future. In the eyes of the Buddha, there is no such separation. The infinite is not a destination to be reached; it is the fundamental nature of all existence.
The Manifestations of Boundless
To help us grasp this profound concept, we can observe the manifestations of this infinite nature throughout the Realm:
The Sky: It is infinite, vast, and without any boundaries.
The Earth: It is infinitely expansive, stretching out to meet the heavens.
The Heart of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas: This heart is infinitely vast, encompassing all things without exception.
The of Ultimate Bliss: It is infinitely vast. Even after ten kalpas of welcoming countless beings for rebirth in the Western Pure Land, it remains as spacious and welcoming as ever.
The Western Land of Dharma Nature: It is infinitely vast, possessing the capacity to accommodate any number of beings who seek refuge there.
The Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo: These vows are infinitely vast, each one dedicated to saving countless suffering beings so that they may attain the Buddha's path.
The Heart of Practitioner Su: Her heart is infinitely vast, tireless in the work of and the compassionate salvation of all beings, embracing them all with boundless grace.
The Vastness of the Dharma Realm: It is infinitely vast, containing the ten directions, the Milky Way, and the three thousand great thousand worlds within its embrace.
The Microcosm and the Macrocosm
The infinite vastness described above does not change with the passing of the past, present, or future. Namo Amituofo asks us to consider why this is so. It is because this state is inherently and eternally infinite. Every single thing, no matter how small, shares in this quality. Even the smallest particle of dust contains infinite space within its core. Within that space, there is yet more space, and within that, an infinite series of smaller spaces exists. Thus, space itself is truly infinite.
Breaking Free from the Limited Self
Every being possesses a heart that can be infinitely vast. Your heart has the potential to encompass all things and to merge into oneness with the vastness of the Dharma Realm. However, you have become limited because of the ego. Your thoughts, your words, your possessions, and your ego-attachment have created a cage of limitation. Because you have restricted yourself, you have failed to see the true, infinite nature that resides within you.
Returning to Our Original Nature
My dear children, throughout countless aeons, your hearts have been stained by deep and heavy layers of filth. You have forgotten that your original nature is empty of self, and therefore, you have forgotten the infinite vastness and freedom that is your true inheritance. You have allowed your hearts to become narrow, filled with limited love and an inability to encompass others.
It is time to nourish this heart well and to adjust your perspective. You must work diligently to purify your mind, for only then can you return to your original, infinite state. Let us walk this path together, leaving behind the smallness of the ego to embrace the boundless compassion of the Buddha.
