The Subtle Manifestation of Our True Nature

The Interplay of Worlds

In the vast expanse of existence, there is a phenomenon of subtle manifestation—a state of being that is sometimes hidden and sometimes revealed. This occurs both within the mundane world and the transcendental realm. Within the mundane world, we find the subtle presence of the transcendental, and within the transcendental realm, we find the subtle presence of the mundane. This shifting, flickering nature of reality is something every practitioner must learn to observe with clarity.

Every single being inherently possesses the true self, which is the Buddha-nature. However, because of our deep-seated confusion, we become stained and attached to external phenomena. This attachment acts as a veil, covering our true nature and causing our body, mind, and spirit to manifest various conflicting states:

• Buddha and Demon: The struggle between our enlightened potential and our destructive impulses.
• Goodness and Evil: The constant oscillation between virtuous actions and harmful deeds.
• Purity and Impurity: The tension between our original, clean state and the defilements we accumulate.
• Greed and Lack of Desire: The pull of craving versus the peace of contentment.
• Anger and Meditative Concentration: The volatility of rage versus the stability of a focused mind.
• Ignorance and Wisdom: The darkness of delusion versus the light of true understanding.
• Arrogance and Humility: The pride that blocks growth versus the modesty that invites it.
• Doubt and Faith: The hesitation that hinders progress versus the trust that enables it.

The Duality of Our Existence

While some individuals find their body, mind, and spirit trapped at these extreme poles, most people exist somewhere in between, in a state of constant flux—now appearing, now disappearing. When the Buddha-nature is manifest, the demon-nature is hidden; conversely, when the demon-nature is manifest, the Buddha-nature is hidden. This same law applies to all our internal states: when goodness is manifest, evil is hidden; when purity is manifest, impurity is hidden.

The Five Desires—wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—are the five roots that lead to the hells. If greed manifests, the path to the hungry ghost realm opens. If one can reach a state of no desire, one’s practice will surely succeed. If anger manifests, it burns down the forest of one's merits and leads to the karma of the hells. If one can cultivate meditative concentration, one’s practice will succeed. If ignorance manifests, one creates negative karma and falls into the animal realm. If one can cultivate Wisdom, one can cease these negative actions and succeed in one's practice.

Cultivating the True Self

Arrogance is a great obstacle; if it manifests, the pure Dharma will drift away, and it will be difficult to see one's true nature. If one can be humble and modest, one becomes a suitable vessel for the Dharma. If doubt manifests, the pure Dharma cannot enter the heart, and practice will bear no fruit. If one can trust the Buddha and trust oneself, following the teachings with sincerity, one will succeed in seeing one's true nature.

Regarding the material world, if you possess wealth, you must use it wisely; performing acts of Generosity is essential. If you do not have wealth, you can still nourish your heart and succeed in your practice by avoiding all evil and eliminating all afflictions. This physical body should be used well; using this temporary vessel to cultivate the truth is the mark of a wise person. If you allow your body to trigger the Five Aggregates—form, feeling, perception, impulse, and consciousness—you will create negative karma and endless afflictions, making it difficult to succeed in your practice.

The Path of Discipline and Freedom

If you have fame, be cautious. If you lose your right mindfulness, a demonic heart may arise, leading to harm and the creation of evil. If you have no fame, it is the perfect environment for practice; once you succeed, you can save infinite beings. If you crave food, you harm your body; if you eat in moderation, you protect it. If you crave sleep, your spirit becomes dull; if you sleep in moderation, your spirit remains clear and bright.

Greed is the root of all evil actions. The precepts are designed to stop this greed—to stop the craving for wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. By stopping the creation of negative karma, you can stop the evil consequences and suffering that follow. When one reaches a state of no desire, the precepts are fulfilled naturally. Why would one need to be told to follow the rules when there is no desire to break them? In a state of no desire, one follows conditions and follows the flow, allowing the eyes to clearly see the truth of reality. By practising no-self and selflessness, one can respond to the needs of all beings according to their capacity. This is the way of the wise.

Namo Amituofo