The Power of Purity

The Essence of Purity

What is purity? It is a state of profound clarity and coolness. It is the result of the dedicated process of practice, which allows the heart to be purified, subsequently driving the purification of the body and spirit. When the Body-Mind-Spirit is purified and brought into sync with our true self, our innate, natural abilities can manifest.

The capabilities that arise from the purification of the Six Roots—the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—differ significantly from our ordinary perceptions. This difference depends entirely on whether we are reacting through the innate power of the Six Roots, or whether we are operating within the world through the filter of the Six Consciousnesses.

The Mechanism of Perception

In our daily lives, we typically rely on the Six Consciousnesses to process the world. This process involves the Six Roots encountering external environments, the information entering our consciousness, the consciousness making discriminations and judgments based on past experiences, and the body receiving these instructions and reacting accordingly.

However, when we react through the innate power of the Six Roots, we are not constrained by the past experiences stored within our consciousness. We are not bound by the limitations of our previous judgments. Instead, we are responding with a clarity that is far closer to our original, natural state.

The Unveiling of Innate Abilities

As we continue to practise, the Six Roots become increasingly sensitive and clear. The more we practise, the more refined our perceptions become: what we see becomes clearer and more precise; what we hear becomes more acute; our sense of smell becomes more sensitive; our sense of taste becomes more discerning; our sense of touch becomes more responsive; and our mind becomes more luminous.

For example, when we use our eyes in an ordinary way, we rely on the eye consciousness to make judgments. We perceive distance, colour, and form based on our past learning and experiences. Even the physical health of our eyes can limit what we see. However, when we see through the innate nature of the eye root, we can perceive aspects of the spiritual realms that are invisible to the physical eyes. The purer our state, the more clearly and minutely we can perceive these spiritual spaces, and the wider our field of vision becomes.

Transcending the Limits of Space

The same principle applies to the ear root. Ordinarily, we use the ear consciousness to judge the pitch, volume, and source of a sound based on our past experiences. We categorise sounds as belonging to people, animals, or other objects. Yet, when we listen through the innate nature of the ear root, we can break through the limitations of space. We can hear sounds from other dimensions, or sounds within our own space that are otherwise imperceptible to the physical ear.

Similarly, the sense of smell, when operating through the innate nature of the nose root, allows us to detect scents that are otherwise undetectable. We may perceive the presence of beings from the ghost realm or distinguish subtle fragrances that are far too delicate for the ordinary nose to identify.

The Path to Awakening

The examples provided here illustrate the capabilities that manifest when the Six Roots are pure. As your level of purity deepens and expands, these abilities will grow until you reach the state of an awakened being. At that point, your capacity to perceive and benefit others will be boundless. This is the true power of purity. It is the path that leads us back to our true self, allowing us to leave suffering behind and find ultimate happiness in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo