Words of , recorded by Venerable HaiZe on February 10, 2023.
When can one truly unlock the heart and attain clarity? When can one resolve the various difficulties and transform the many obstacles that hinder the path? These are questions that every sincere practitioner must contemplate.
The Collective Echoes Within Our Being
It is essential to realise that your own thoughts and mental processes are not entirely your own. They are, in fact, the collective thoughts and mental states of the countless beings residing within your body. These beings include:
The vast, uncountable number of cells that make up your physical form.
Your , who seek balance for past actions.
Attached spirits, who linger in search of refuge or resolution.
Beings in the plague and demon realms, who are caught in their own cycles of suffering.
Therefore, whenever a thought or a mental impulse arises within you, it is simultaneously the activation of past . You are not merely thinking as an individual; you are experiencing the echoes of your entire history of existence.
The as Heart-Work
The Buddha’s teachings are fundamentally heart-work. To make real progress, one must put in the work at the level of the heart and mind. We must strive to transform our hearts, transform our thoughts, and eventually reach a state where we are free from the constant chatter of the mind. Only then is there a genuine possibility to transform karma.
However, you must understand that transform karma is not a task that can be accomplished in a single day or two. Purification is not an overnight achievement. It requires diligent practice, unwavering focus, and the willingness to put in the necessary effort over time.
The Skillful Means of the Buddha-Name
Every time a thought or a mental impulse arises, you must exercise your awareness to immediately invoke the Buddha-name. Using the Buddha-name to replace your ordinary thoughts is a skillful means that is both practical and highly effective. Most of our ordinary thoughts are deeply rooted in our Body, Speech, and Mind. We are constantly thinking about ourselves, planning for our own benefit, or obsessing over people and things related to our own lives. We are always trying to protect our own interests.
These patterns are all forms of pollution and possessiveness. Even when we think we are having a good or virtuous thought, it is often tainted because we are still at the centre of it. We are still using ourselves as the starting point. These are not truly virtuous thoughts; they are thoughts driven by self-interest. Anything that revolves around is a manifestation of ego, and as long as this remains, we are trapped within the cycle of reincarnated existence.
The Path to Purity
We must acknowledge that these patterns of confusion, habit, and inertia have been with us for many lifetimes. It is not something that can be changed instantly. This is why Namo Amituofo has bestowed upon all of us the six-character name: Namo Amituofo. I invite you to transform your thoughts and mental impulses into the Buddha-name.
By replacing every thought with the Buddha-name, you are engaging in the essential work of:
Purification: Cleansing the mind of its habitual defilements.
Virtuous thought: Cultivating a mind that is aligned with the Buddha.
Energy: Generating the spiritual power necessary for your journey.
This is a fundamental skill that anyone who vows to be reborn in the of Ultimate Bliss must possess.
The Continuous Stream of
When you chant deeply and thoroughly, and when your chanting becomes a continuous, flowing stream that never stops, you will naturally develop and a soft, yielding heart. As you remove defilements and attain purity, your Wisdom (Prajna) will naturally manifest. When you are supported by the Buddha's , your spiritual energy will arise spontaneously.
When your chanting then becomes a continuous, flowing stream that never stops, you have reached the moment of unlocking the heart, transforming the mind, and finally transforming your karma.
