The Sprouting of the True Heart

The Radiance of a New Beginning

At the very dawn of the new year, it is as if we are witnessing the first light of a sunrise, a radiant brilliance that appears anew to illuminate the vastness of the world. This light is akin to the true self within your heart. If your heart can recognise the purity of this inner light, that radiance will dwell within you, guiding your every step. When the heart is capable of knowing the Truth, it attains a state of profound and unshakable stillness. In this stillness, at the very beginning of the new year, you are granted the precious opportunity to realise the reality of the brightness that resides deep within your own heart, waiting to be awakened. This is the moment to embrace the clarity that has always been present, yet often obscured by the dust of the world.

Turning Towards the Light

The beginning of the year is like a perpetual spring, offering us a fresh start and a chance to renew our commitment to the path of enlightenment. Within each day, you have the opportunity to turn your life around, shifting your focus from the mundane to the sublime. You must turn towards the new, and you must face the path that leads to Goodness. You must know how to turn, and you must know how to seek clarity in all your actions. You must know how to move towards Goodness, and you must know how to move towards the light. This is the essence of a true new beginning, a transformation that begins from within and radiates outwards to touch all beings. By consciously choosing to align your thoughts and deeds with the light, you create a sanctuary of peace within your own mind.

The Sprouting of Goodness

People of the world often know the new year as a time for celebration and outward joy, but you must also know the spring of the heart. When your heart knows the light, the seeds of Goodness and beauty will begin to sprout. This is the sprouting of your true life. By following the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, you will ensure that these seeds grow into a life of wisdom and compassion. Let this be your focus as you step forward into the year ahead, nurturing the inner garden of your spirit with the water of the Dharma. May your heart remain ever-bright, ever-pure, and ever-aligned with the infinite compassion of Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.