Both good thoughts and evil thoughts serve as seeds that keep us bound to the cycle of reincarnation. When we harbour good thoughts, we reap good fruit; when we harbour evil thoughts, we suffer evil consequences. What is the true definition of Goodness? When a thought arises in the human heart, the heavens and the earth are fully aware of it. If there were no consequences for our actions, the universe would surely be governed by partiality. In the teachings of Mencius, it is proposed that human nature is inherently good, whereas Xunzi argued that human nature is inherently evil. Both schools of thought have been followed for centuries, though the perspective of Mencius, which suggests that our nature is fundamentally good, is more widely praised by the public.
The Seeds of Our Actions
When you give rise to a good thought and keep goodness in your heart, you will naturally attain good fruit. Conversely, when you give rise to an evil thought, your heart remains unpurified, and you will inevitably reap evil consequences. However, in the context of true practice, we do not label our nature as inherently good or inherently evil. Both are part of the same whole. We must return to our original nature, which is something that every person possesses. Every single being is endowed with the Buddha-nature.
Transcending the Dualism of the World
Before the Bodhisattvas of the Western Land of Nature reached , they viewed all people, events, and objects through the lens of , judging them as either good or evil. Yet, once one has truly reached Awakening, one realises that all beings possess the Buddha-nature. From this enlightened perspective, there is no longer any need to distinguish between right and wrong, or good and evil. There is simply no attachment remaining in the heart. Therefore, the person who has reached Awakening is pure. They are free from all defilements, free from the dualism of good and evil, and thus they remain in a state of absolute purity.
The Compassionate Path of the Buddha
The Buddha exists in this world primarily to save all beings. Naturally, the Buddha does not hold onto discriminations between good and evil. When practitioners study the Buddha’s teachings, listen to sutras, and hear the Dharma, they are also learning to embody the of the Buddha or . As Master Yongjia once said: In a dream, there are clearly six realms of existence, but upon Awakening, the vast universe is revealed to be empty. When you understand that everything in this world is illusory, you will naturally cease to see good or evil. If you still hold onto the discrimination of good and evil, you will become defiled when you see the actions of others. A pure heart does not see good or evil. If you perceive good and evil, it is merely the influence of your . This leads to the cycle of death and rebirth, where you are pulled by your own karmic forces through the six realms of existence.
The True Path of the Practitioner
The Bodhisattvas of the Western Land of Dharma Nature understand that performing good deeds leads to good fruit, while performing evil deeds leads to evil consequences. This is a truth known to everyone, yet both outcomes originate from the initial mental note of the heart. To be a true practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings, you must listen clearly and thoroughly to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su. You must diligently correct your own erroneous speech and behaviour, rectify your mistaken views, and transform your deep-seated habits. This is the only way to truly walk the path of the Buddha.
