The Tiny Self
Teachings from Namo Amituofo
From the 2019 Taiwan, Hong Kong, and World Disaster Relief Dharma Assembly
The Boundless Potential of the Heart
During the 2019 Taiwan, Hong Kong, and World Disaster Relief Assembly, Namo Amituofo offered profound guidance on the nature of our existence. Your heart possesses the potential to be as vast and radiant as the light of the universe, yet it can also be as confined as a dark, windowless room. Where does your heart reside at this very moment? How do you perceive your own existence in the grand scheme of the Dharma?
We often feel like a tiny, insignificant speck in this world, yet we paradoxically cling to an inflated sense of self. This attachment creates a world of illusion—a space that is empty and unreal. We must ask ourselves: what is truly empty, and what is truly the solid, original nature? When we are free from all attachments, we find that we have nothing left to seek, for everything is already complete within our true self.
The Illusion of the Material World
When you enter this world of colourful, swirling distractions, you are surrounded by vast illusions. These external environments are constantly shifting, yet the truth remains constant. To know the truth is to maintain your original nature, even amidst the chaos of the world. You must not allow yourself to be swayed by vanity or the shifting, temporary spaces of this existence. Do not let the external world replace the purity of your inner landscape.
Seeking the Truth Within
Are you still truly present, or have you lost yourself in the cycle of rebirth? The tiny self that you perceive is but a shadow; you must seek the truth within. By looking inward, you can transcend the limitations of the ego and return to the source of your being. This is the path to liberation, where the small, suffering self dissolves into the infinite of Namo Amituofo.
Namo Amituofo.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library