Reflecting on Inner Reflection and Spiritual Elevation
As the saying goes: “Heaven’s calamity can still be avoided, but self-inflicted calamity cannot be survived.”
It is important to understand that the main reason humanity often overlooks its own faults lies in the ‘greed, selfishness, and vanity’ inherent in human nature.
“Heaven’s calamity can still be avoided; self-inflicted calamity cannot be survived” is a quote from Mencius, referencing a passage in the Book of Documents titled “Tai Jia.” It means that while natural disasters may allow people to escape by chance, the sins they create for themselves must be borne by them alone and cannot be evaded.
Cultivating oneself often becomes tainted by selfish desires—wanting others to forgive oneself—and vanity—seeking others to praise oneself. This gradually fosters a habit of harshly judging others while highlighting oneself, leading to a habitual rationalization of being lenient towards oneself and forgiving oneself.
The sages say:
Not knowing one’s own shortcomings is ignorance.
Knowing yet failing to make amends is obstinacy.
In practice, one must avoid focusing solely on ‘superficial decoration’; this will only deepen our habitual tendencies and distance us from the path. Only by maintaining a pure, simple, and grounded heart can we pass through numerous tests and obstacles.
Consider that a thousand-year-old tree has endured countless storms and rains without being toppled; ultimately, it is still brought down by ‘the corrosion of root-boring insects.’ A practitioner’s obstacles primarily stem from being ‘bound and entangled by the inner demons that cannot be cast away,’ which is why it is said that the most terrifying enemy is actually yourself.
Learn to forgive everyone; even with great hatred, try to forgive them. Forgive those who have harmed us. Holding onto hatred and blaming others only harms ourselves directly; do not punish yourself with another’s mistakes.
One must completely let go of hatred towards others so that one’s heart can gradually expand. Only then can the soul attain true liberation. The achievements of practitioners come from what they gain through forgiveness.
There’s a common saying: shrink yourself to accommodate others. This means: keep your head low and your heart broad; true wisdom appears foolish so that one can embrace all beings’ grievances and rights or wrongs. Therefore, cultivating one’s character must take root inwardly;
Practice through events, use illusions to cultivate truth, refine the mundane into the sacred. If one merely performs superficial acts—listening to teachings daily or guiding sentient beings without changing their habits or nature—they will not achieve anything substantial.
It is often said in cultivation: if the path of practice can become simpler, then one’s heart will become purer; practice should be focused and consistent without being flashy yet empty. If one can have a pure and simple environment while learning not to indulge in delusions or fabrications but remain grounded, only then can one unleash their inner potential.
The Avatamsaka Sutra states: Deeply enter into the sutras; wisdom like an ocean.
This implies that it’s not just about understanding words but deeply comprehending their meanings within the sutras while resonating with our inner ‘conscience sutra.’ Only then can we awaken our innate consciousness and develop our inherent wisdom potential so as to embrace all sentient beings like an ocean’s vastness.
A true practitioner who has realized their truth will possess boundless wisdom capable of guiding sentient beings toward understanding Buddhist teachings and Taoist principles while actively embodying these truths in daily life—thus awakening their innate liberation. All Buddhas across three times have also achieved enlightenment through wisdom.
One must know that cultivating the Mahayana Bodhisattva path requires complete wisdom so as to “enter life and death without fear; act with great compassion without attachment; transform afflictions into enlightenment; dwell in this world as if in Nirvana; turn the Dharma wheel as if in meditation.”
Humans are among the most complex creatures who least understand themselves because there are few moments when “the sky of one’s mind remains clear without clouds.” What causes this?
Often obscured by grievances, inequities, anger—or influenced by external disturbances—our pure hearts become clouded over time. The fundamental reason lies in not having found a correct way to recognize oneself or understand one’s own nature.
Through guidance from wise teachers who illuminate our inner light of consciousness, we can accurately face ourselves—to recognize our strengths and weaknesses—and strengthen areas where we are lacking while utilizing our strong will effectively,
Only with perseverance, wisdom, determination along with hard work can we overcome all difficulties and break through every barrier. Over time—even amidst external storms—we remain unaffected in our resolve for spiritual cultivation.
Consider how people toil daily for what? What drives them to work so hard? Is it fame? Is it profit? The fleeting joys of life ultimately cannot escape birth-and-death cycles.
Yet Buddhas do not seek fame nor profit; they strive tirelessly within the three realms for sentient beings’ benefit “even more than we do.” What drives them?
“It comes from an unwavering love within—the love embodied as great compassion.” Without such steadfast compassion from Buddhas, how could sentient beings find relief from suffering?
Nowadays many people study Buddhism or Taoism; many predecessors teach Dharma well—they understand many principles—but why can’t they become true disciples? The root cause lies merely in “searching for Buddhist teachings on paper,”
failing truly to grasp Buddhism’s genuine essence or Taoism’s real meaning—”seeing others’ faults yet blind to their own shortcomings,” thus unable ever truly expressing their inner Bodhi aspirations!
If someone has “no Bodhi mind nor compassionate aspirations,” they lack awareness—even if they memorize all twelve divisions of scriptures perfectly—they are still just ordinary individuals far removed from Buddhahood,
appearing diligent outwardly but internally harboring attachments such as “egoism,” “selfishness,” or “greed”; such cultivation remains indistinguishable from ordinary beings due solely lacking Bodhi mind or compassionate aspirations.
True Bodhi mind resides deep within clarity—a constant state of joy facing worldly matters untainted—acting justly with integrity displaying virtue allowing sentient beings feel warmth & gentleness—that’s what we commonly refer as “charisma.”
Ancient sages said: “Cultivation requires emotional solidity.” Only after solidifying postnatal selfish emotions can one manifest innate “pure feelings” & “true nature” Bodhi mind enabling them liberate countless vast crowds—which translates into transforming personal small love into great love turning compassionate hearts into boundless compassion.”
When our hearts are pure & unobstructed walking & sleeping brings joy—the moment your home & career becomes your spiritual ground! Conversely if “burdened with worries” & “egoistic resentments,” everything encountered becomes burdensome & blameworthy whether sweeping floors or eating meals!
Living amidst ever-changing societal environments requires careful contemplation! A single thought led astray leaves us wondering when we’ll emerge from confusion! Hence “a single thought encompasses three thousand realms”—even fleeting delusions yield numerous seeds of affliction preventing tranquility!
Practitioners should heed this: “once thoughts arise consequences follow.” When karmic retribution arrives like landslides past efforts may vanish instantly leaving only continuous planting seeds for blessings,
using merit power redirecting transforming personal karma allows safely navigating karmic backlash periods while progressing purification stages through practice achieving mutual benefits for both realms!
Thus showcasing “Bodhi aspirations” signifies spiritual awakening—only through self-awakening intentions liberate us myriad attachments sufferings hence awakening itself embodies “purifying wisdom,” enabling dispelling darkness dissolving barriers resistances pains!
Bodhi aspirations represent profound compassion—a commitment towards enlightenment holding concern for all living beings striving genuinely benefiting everyone without clinging onto self-identity dedicating wholeheartedly efforts intentions!
by – Phoenix Mountain Compassion Palace