Awakening of the Spirit (37)

Awakening of the Spirit (37)

The path of a Daoist is a journey through life. It is an understanding of existence. There is both suffering and joy. There are laughs and sorrows. Engaging with events and interacting with things, the heart feels something. Responding according to circumstances, with good thoughts as the cause, one attains harmony with nature. The result is happiness and joy. Conversely, with evil thoughts as the cause, one reaps suffering and worry. This is the way of suffering and joy in the world. The Dao is walked out by people. Various schools of thought each discuss their own Dao, each showcasing their brilliance. There are many doors to enter; there are many paths to take. Ultimately, it returns to the heart, resulting in many ways that each arise from one’s heart. (Buddha and demons are created by the mind.)

When encountering a Buddha, kill the Buddha; when encountering a demon, kill the demon. Yet still, when encountering a Buddha, cling to the Buddha; when encountering a demon, cling to the demon. This killing is not slaughter; this killing is annihilation—an annihilation of all forms and an extinguishing of deluded thoughts as well. Those who kill Buddhas or demons have hearts that do not cling to all forms; their minds do not arise in response to circumstances. Those who cling to Buddhas or demons encounter various forms and attach themselves to those forms; their minds follow external conditions and transform accordingly. This heart gives rise to all forms based on circumstances; this heart flows along with conditions.

Those who experience initial awakening have fewer instances of killing Buddhas or demons but more instances of clinging to Buddhas or demons. The newly awakened person first encounters the realm of Dharma—both startled and fearful, filled with doubt and curiosity about its mysterious wonders—often finds themselves trapped in an inescapable situation without realizing it is an illusion. Clinging to the realm of Buddhas gives rise to delusions; body and mind become disturbed and restless due to arrogance and grandiosity while clinging to demonic realms creates illusions that lead to panic and terror—a restless mind plagued by anxiety throughout the day.

The mysterious wonders of Dharma can be captivating but those who can detach themselves for liberation must possess great wisdom in order not only to attain liberation but also keep their hearts steady amidst it all. Thus, for those newly awakened: when encountering all forms within conditions, they should meet gods by killing gods or meet Buddhas by killing Buddhas—do not mistake illusions within the realm of Dharma for messages on the path of cultivation or for achieving enlightenment.

by – Teacher Liu Hongming