Cultivating the mind requires one to put in the necessary work. At the very heart of this practice is the ability to let go of . However, simply letting go is not the final destination. To progress further, one must truly break through the illusion of the self, ensuring that not even a single trace of the ego remains within the heart.
When we speak of the self, we are referring to the false self. This false self is a collection of many things that we mistakenly identify as our own: our physical bodies, our fleeting thoughts and concepts, our deep-seated attachments, our unique personalities and habits, our personal preferences and tastes, our names and identities, and our homes, our families, and our emotional bonds.
These are the elements that the world uses to define who we are. From the moment we are born into this world, we are recognised by these labels. Yet, it is precisely because we cling to these labels that we become entangled in the cycle of and rebirth.
Trapped Within the Web of Karma
Everything in this world is constructed upon the laws of karma and cause and effect. People live their lives trapped within the influence of greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt, as well as the pull of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. Furthermore, they are bound by the constant fluctuations of their own , , , and . These are all forms of desire and spiritual pollution.
As we grow in such an environment, we are surrounded by the reality of impermanence. Life in this world is unpredictable and cannot be mastered by the individual because it is governed by the deluded mind and the weight of past karma. In truth, many people are not the masters of their own lives; instead, they are controlled by their , attached spirits residing within their energy fields, or the influence of demon crowds.
Because of these external and internal forces, the mind remains in a state of constant agitation. We endure various forms of suffering, passing through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death without finding true peace.
Borrowing the Temporary to Reveal the Eternal
True practice involves the deliberate act of letting go of greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt. It requires us to transcend the pull of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep, as well as the limitations of our own perceptions. However, in our daily actions, we must also learn to use this temporary body to find the eternal truth. The temporary refers to our physical form, while the eternal refers to our true self and original nature.
Cultivation is the process of letting go of the self. We must cleanse the heart until the ego is completely removed. Only when we have achieved this state of emptiness can we truly say that there is no self, only the Buddha and all sentient beings. Only then can we place the Buddha and the welfare of others at the very forefront of our lives.
The Ultimate Return to the
When the self is truly set aside, one can finally arouse the mind and single-mindedly recite . Only then can one's practice be considered a success. This is especially true for those following the Pure Land path. By letting go of the self within the heart, one becomes pure and good, allowing one to realise one's true nature and let that nature take charge.
At this stage, one can use this body to save the world, help beings leave suffering behind, and guide them toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land. This is the ultimate purpose of learning the Buddha : to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood.
