A Lamp at the Center of Ignorance

A lamp at the center of ignorance

No matter what kind of child you have,
he is not the cause of your suffering,
your thoughts about him are the cause of your suffering.

This is very certain.
When you suffer because of him,
it can be said with certainty that
you do not love him;
what you love is the version of him in your mind, not the actual him.
There are never problematic others, only problematic selves.
When you direct the causes of problems outward,
not only do you reverse the direction for solving problems,
but wars also begin and continue from there.
No matter what problems arise in your world,
you are the source of those problems;
to manage those problems,
start with yourself, with your heart.
How to manage your heart?
Start with your perspective on a specific problem,
see through that perspective, penetrate that perspective, overturn that perspective,
and break free from the cocoon created by your own problems.
Your thoughts wrap around you;
they create problems and isolate perfect reality;
use the scissors of wisdom to cut through your thoughts,
and from there create an opening: let yourself transform into a butterfly and fly out…
If you are suffering, no matter why,
it must stem from a misunderstanding;
if there is no misunderstanding, suffering cannot occur.
Misunderstanding is the gene of all suffering.
Perhaps you are very sure that you have no misunderstandings;
if so, then the misunderstanding is even greater and more serious.
Because you’ve misunderstood to such an extent that you’re very sure there’s no problem;

that misunderstanding not only covers others but also drowns you.

The only pain in this world

is a confused heart;

when you suffer, you must be confused;

when you’re confused, you must suffer.

Confusion is the origin of ordinary people’s suffering,

confusion gives rise to suffering just like rotten flesh gives rise to maggots.

Confusion is ignorance;

work on your ignorance.

Just as thieves steal and commit crimes under cover of night,

through ignorance,

delusions in your heart create problems everywhere.

Your ignorance is the source of all your problems;

when you’re in pain,

don’t blame your child, parents, husband, etc.;

there’s a lamp at the center of your ignorance.

A lamp at the center of your ignorance

drives away surrounding darkness, reveals Buddha’s face, clarifies existence’s reality;

The world and others are not as you think;

only then will you see clearly.

See clearly around reality, see clearly yourself and others’ true nature;

love will arise, suffering will dissolve;

liberation will come, freedom will be achieved;

how can you encounter Buddha while carrying ignorance? How can you find peace amidst confusion?

A lamp at the center of ignorance.

Namo Amitabha Buddha.

by – Taiwan Fearless Tathagata Great Perfection Zen Meditation Center