The Purity of the Heart-Ground

The Infinite Treasure Within

Within every person, there exists a profound heart-ground. This inner landscape contains an infinite treasury of our true nature. Within this treasury, one can find the entire universe, the presence of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the same wisdom, virtues, and auspicious characteristics that belong to the Tathagata. However, because we have been reincarnated through the six realms of existence for countless lifetimes, this inner light has been covered by layer upon layer of ignorance and defilement. Consequently, the radiance of our true nature finds it difficult to manifest.

Today, through the consistent practice of listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, we are able to resolve conflicts and invite our karmic creditors to leave. Through the guidance of the ancestral masters, the interviews with various beings, and the performance of Chao Du at Dharma assemblies, we are actively purifying this heart-ground. Bit by bit, the surface begins to reveal its original, pure whiteness, allowing us to glimpse its true, clean state. Every time a small portion of this purity is revealed, a glimmer of the light of our true nature shines through. We are waiting for these small points of light to expand and merge into a single, vast expanse. When there is not a single trace of defilement left, the light of our true nature will suddenly manifest, illuminating the entire physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers—with a brilliance that pierces through the darkness of the underworld.

Cultivating the Garden of the Heart

Although at this stage your heart-ground may only reveal small patches of purity, as long as you remain diligent and persistent, and do not add any new defilements, you will eventually restore the original, pure appearance of your true nature. As this heart-ground gradually becomes fertile, you can begin to plant seeds and nurture saplings, which will eventually grow into great trees that blossom and bear fruit.

• Planting seeds of goodness:
• These can grow into great, gentle trees that bear the sweet fruit of kindness.Planting seeds of compassion:
• These can grow into great, harmonious trees that bear the warm and virtuous fruit of compassion.Planting seeds of wisdom:
• These can grow into great, upright trees that bear the fruit of intelligence and clarity.Planting seeds of mind-capacity: These can grow into great trees that lead to the awakening of one's true nature, bearing fruit of infinite radiance.

As long as the seeds you plant are good, bright, and upright, you will surely enjoy a bountiful harvest. Conversely, if you plant seeds that are evil, dark, or distorted, even if they manage to sprout, they will soon wither. This is because they conflict with the essential nature of this land. When the land has been polluted, it requires a period of purification and cleansing before it can return to its original, pure state.

The Urgent Path to Liberation

Purity of the heart-ground is an absolute necessity for anyone who wishes to learn the Buddha’s teachings. It allows one to enter into the philosophy of the Dharma, recognise the truth of many facts, and avoid being led astray by ignorance and confusion. It enables one to clearly distinguish right from wrong and good from evil, so that one does not create negative karma or fall into the darkness of the hells. If you find that you have become stained by bad habits, you must discover them early, change your ways, and undergo purification. If these bad habits are allowed to transform into deep-seated personality traits, they will only increase your suffering. It is far better to purify them as soon as possible. This is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way; it applies to everyone, and no matter how much time passes, this truth will never change.

For those who chant Namo Amituofo, if you do not achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in this lifetime, you will fall back into the cycle of rebirth. In each subsequent life, you will face different encounters, making it difficult to be the master of your own destiny. You will once again be covered in layers of karmic filth. When will you finally be able to achieve a pure heart-ground and see your true nature and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? Therefore, you must seize the opportunity of having this human body. Having encountered the Pure Land path and this magnificent Dharma affinity, you must strive with diligent practice, purification, and then more purification. Achieve the awakening of your true nature in this very life! Make your vows and chant Namo Amituofo to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in this very life! Do not wait for a future life, which is far off and uncertain.

Practical Steps Toward Purity

How can one achieve a pure heart-ground? The path is clear: "Give rise to good roots, and achieve the fruit of Bodhi." Think good thoughts, and then go further—cease all thinking, remove false thoughts, cut off wandering intentions, and discard ego-attachment and biased views. By maintaining a mind that does not rise and fall, you can avoid attracting past karmic creditors and prevent negative karma manifesting, thereby keeping your heart-ground pure. If you continue to have thoughts, intentions, and ego-attachments, these are great afflictions of karmic defilement. You must continue to purify and eliminate them until you reach a state of no-thought, no-self, and no-attachment, and thus see your true nature.

To navigate the world, one must use compassion and wisdom. The simultaneous application of compassion and wisdom is the best remedy for dealing with the world. Consider these essential practices:

• Daily Practice:
• Engage in prostrations, recite the Sutras, and keep the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo in your mind 24/7, so that you may attain the state of deep peace and wisdom through Buddha-recitation.Resolving Karma:
• Resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors, perform Chao Du to help them be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and repent of your negative karma to cleanse your sins. This will lead to the purification of your body, mind, and spirit. If you see your true nature, you will be able to achieve rebirth with ease.Right View:
• See the goodness in others, and do not dwell on their faults. Always maintain a pure and joyful heart, and keep your thoughts righteous and selfless.Discipline:
• Uphold the Precepts without violation, and diligently practise meditative concentration and wisdom.The One-Body Perspective:
• Do not discriminate. Respect the Buddha-nature within everyone.Inner Reflection: Be skilled at looking inward. Recognise that the world is impermanent and illusory. Only by seeing through and letting go, without clinging to anything, can you walk the path to the West without carrying a heavy burden.

Rising Above the Mud of the World

Maintain a pure heart-ground; come with nothing, and go with nothing. Originally, there is nothing to hold onto, so everything can be let go. Do not commit any evil, and perform all good deeds. Even small evils should not be committed, for they cause unease in the heart and make it difficult to attain purity. Change your personality traits and habits, and cultivate broad Dharma affinities with others; do not create negative affinities. When good affinities mature, noble people will appear to assist you.

Even if you are in a place of worldly defilement, keep your heart pure and untouched by the stains of the environment. Like a lotus flower that emerges from the mud without being stained, you should view the world and act in this way. Only then will you reach the time when you see your true nature and are reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo