The Wisdom of No-Mind: Manifesting the True Heart

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on February 11, 2023.

The Buddha originally possesses no mind. This state of 'No-Mind' is not a void of nothingness, but a state of absolute purity and infinite potential. However, for the sake of saving beings, and because sentient beings have endless needs, the Buddha produces a mind. Because the number of beings is infinite, the heart that responds to their needs is also infinite.

The Compassionate Echo of the Infinite Heart

Every thought that arises is for the sake of all beings. Although this mind may appear as an illusion, it is in fact the True Heart. It is much like the state of an awakened being, where one finds the countless manifestations of the Dharma Body. Each of these manifestations may seem like an illusion, yet they are all expressions of the True Heart. Through these illusory forms, the Buddha performs the work of Chao Du, helping spirits enter the Buddha-light of Namo Amituofo. Those who chant Namo Amituofo are able to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, while those who have not yet begun to chant are guided into the realms of humans and celestials.

This process, within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, is what it means to flow naturally with the Dharma after reaching the state of an awakened being. It is the logic behind the countless manifestations of the Buddha within the light. Once you have rediscovered your true self, you can freely manifest and transform to carry out the work of rescuing beings from their suffering. Do not remain stagnant, allowing your body to pass through time in vain; once the days have passed, they cannot be reclaimed.

The Unbound Essence of the Dharma Body

This human body is priceless; it cannot be exchanged for any amount of worldly wealth. This heart is truly real, yet it can enter into the state of 'No-Mind.' Only by reaching this state of 'No-Mind' can one truly see the truth and rediscover the true self. The mind that is trapped in the cycle of being reincarnated is an illusory mind. Those who have realised their true nature have no mind, yet they truly possess the true self, and with it, they possess the true innate abilities.

These innate abilities are inherent to the true self. They are revealed because the self is pure and unstained; they are not acquired from the outside. The true self exists in the state of spirits. When you manifest these innate abilities in the state of spirits, you are no longer restricted by the limitations of the physical body. You can truly exercise the innate abilities of the true self—the natural supernatural powers.

The Natural Radiance of the True Self

These powers are not forced, nor are they external; they are the natural fruits of a pure heart. They include:

• Heavenly Eye:
• You can see far, deep, and wide, observing the conditions of the cycle of being reincarnated and the various spaces within the universe.Divine Hearing:
• You can hear sounds from far away, listening to the voices across different spaces.Reading Minds:
• You can know the thoughts, reflections, and desires of all beings. Because the number of beings is infinite, those who possess this power—depending on the depth of their skills—can know the thoughts, needs, and reflections of humans, animals, those in the hells, the ghost realm, celestial beings, asuras, the Four Sages—Arhats, Pratyekabuddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the Buddha Dharma Realm—as well as demon crowds, and even beings in this world, other worlds, and the Milky Way.Divine Foot:
• As described in the sutras, in a single thought, one can travel throughout all the Buddha-lands. This is the manifestation of the Divine Foot. When Practitioner Su performs Chao Du, his Dharma Body performs a somersault, instantly crossing over the heavens; this is a clear display of the Divine Foot.Extinction of Outflows:
• This is the state where all afflictions are completely severed. In the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light, there is no more confusion; one knows everything, and there is nothing one does not know.Knowing Past Lives: One clearly understands the laws of karma and cause and effect across the past, present, and future.

The Serene Clarity of the Awakened

In the presence of the Buddha, or in the presence of those who have realised their true nature, what is there that remains unknown? Those who have realised their true nature, like the Buddha, know simply by observing or by seeing. Sometimes, they know even without observing or seeing. They understand the situation of a being better than the being understands themselves. This is the preciousness of the true self and the utility of the natural ability to save beings.

Namo Amituofo