True Learning, Not Imitation
The Forty-fourth Letter of President Zhao Puchu
September 18, 2017
The Vastness of the Mind
When you gaze upon the vast, cloudless sky, does it not bring a sense of profound peace and refreshment to your spirit? This clarity should not merely be an image captured by your eyes; it should be the very state of your heart. Your mind-capacity should be just as expansive, stretching out into the immeasurable and boundless. This is a vital lesson I have learned here with Practitioner Su. True, great mind-capacity is exactly this: a state of giving that is free from regret, free from resentment, and free from attachment, where one offers everything without a single thought of keeping anything for oneself.
Why is such a vast mind-capacity so essential? On the path of learning the , one must cultivate an open heart and a generous spirit. The most direct impact of this openness is the of your inner . Compassion, in turn, further expands your mind-capacity. These two qualities exist in a mutually reinforcing, positive relationship. If you claim to be a Buddhist practitioner, you must learn thoroughly and completely. You must strive for a transformation that is one hundred per cent authentic, where there is no trace of the ego left behind.
The Trap of Imitation
If your practice is only half-hearted, it cannot be called true learning. It is merely imitating a Buddha. This imitation varies in its level of skill:
- Those with better skills may manage a superficial resemblance.
- Those with lesser skills may not even come close to the appearance of a practitioner.
Regardless of how well you imitate, it remains false. It is a hollow, empty facade. At the slightest provocation or disturbance, you will immediately revert to your original, ordinary self, lacking any of the inner qualities or conduct of a Buddha. The compassion and mind-capacity of a Buddha are vast enough to encompass both existence and emptiness. They permeate the entire universe, reaching all beings, so that sentient and insentient beings alike attain perfect wisdom.
The Compassion of the Unmoved
If you harbour even a shred of falsity, the Buddhas know it better than anyone. Yet, they do not expose you. Instead, they wait patiently for the moment you show a glimmer of sincerity, ready to reach out and lift you up. In this world, people often think they are clever. I have seen this many times. The compassion of the Buddha is not a license for us to do whatever we want. We often see people who:
- Cry and kneel before the Buddha when life becomes difficult.
- Make loud, empty vows and promises in their desperation.
- Once their lives become calm and smooth again, cast those vows aside like smoke drifting away in the wind.
As ordinary people, we might be quick to point fingers and complain, asking why someone has gone back on their word. However, the Buddha remains unmoved, using His compassion to tolerate His children, waiting for them to truly awaken.
The Path of
It is only when you achieve the state of no-self that your mind-capacity can truly open. When you are attached to , you allow this physical body to cage your heart. When you are trapped within such boundaries, your ability to grow and extend your reach is severely limited. But when you let go of the self, there are no frames, no sharp edges, and no fixed limitations. Your heart can become as vast as the horizon and as boundless as the ocean. There is no room for personal preferences or distinctions. When nothing belongs to you, your contribution becomes total, and your giving becomes selfless.
Following the Path at Hsiang Kuang
As practitioners, should we not be more serious in our learning? The compassion and mind-capacity of Practitioner Su may seem innate, but they are also the result of rigorous, lifelong refinement. He has endured the tempering of his heart and spirit, laboured his body, and suffered for the sake of all beings. Through this, his true self has manifested, revealing a wisdom that is all-knowing and all-capable. He can endure what others cannot and perform deeds that others find impossible. He truly embodies the presence of the Buddha.
This level of practice and steadfastness is worthy of our study and emulation. When our actions and our vows are in sync with the Buddha, we invite the Buddha to dwell in this world to save all beings. This is the magnificent and extraordinary nature of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. Following the Buddha is our duty. Since the Buddha is now truly present at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, should you not come in person to receive the Buddha’s guidance and teachings, and follow them with all your heart?
Zhao Puchu
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Fajing
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library