The Profound Practice of Contemplation

During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we turn our attention to the essential practice of contemplation. This is not merely a visual act, but a deep, internal process of observation that encompasses the heart, the spirit, and the body.

The Harmony of Body, Mind, and Spirit

If your heart and body are in harmony, your heart will be filled with Goodness, your spirit will be filled with Goodness, and your body will naturally reflect that same Goodness. However, if there is discord between your heart and your body, your heart becomes corrupted, your spirit grows dim, and your body falls into darkness. This state of inner conflict is the root of our suffering in the cycle of rebirth.

The Mirror of Self-Reflection

Before one becomes an awakened being, one will inevitably have attachments and shortcomings. Because of this, we lack the necessary resources and the moral standing to judge the faults of others. It is far more beneficial to focus on your own path. You must learn to observe your own faults with honesty and clarity, rather than looking at the mistakes of others. By turning your gaze inward, you begin the true work of purification.

The Ultimate Path to Liberation

Contemplate your own suffering, and then contemplate the suffering of all beings. The secret to leaving suffering behind is to see your true nature and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. When you observe your own actions, do not concern yourself with the actions of others. Everything you do should be for the benefit of all beings, without even a fraction of a thought for your own personal gain.

Universal Vision

Contemplate the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo, which were established to save all suffering beings. Contemplate the physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers—and understand where all things come from and where they return. Contemplate where the Universal Principles and the Truth reside. You will find that all of these things are contained within your own heart, your own spirit, and your own body. This teaching was recorded by the chief writer, the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.