Buddhism

Where does the root of suffering lie? Laozi said it begins with the body—but deeper still, it starts in the heart. When we follow selfish desires, we drift from what is right and true. But by returning to Tao and awakening the wisdom within, we can walk the path back to our true self—a life of peace, purpose, and lasting joy.

When people see the word “emptiness,” they often start to judge, compare, or cling to certain ideas. Once the mind falls into this, it becomes very hard to understand the true meaning of emptiness. The Hinayana teachings focus on watching things outside, but they do not reach the full meaning of emptiness. They also do not help a person let go of their attachment to the idea of emptiness itself.

Many people feel their minds are always busy. Thoughts rise like waves, one after another. They believe it is too hard to quiet the mind or hold it still. But what they may not know is that there are two ways to calm and guide the mind.

The true teaching of the Buddha is not in words, but in knowing your true nature. Once it is clearly seen, you can rest in it, and the path is complete. So, what do “seeing the true nature” and “resting” truly mean? True nature is bright like the sun and pure like a mirror. It is not solid or made of anything in this world. It cannot be held. It does not stay with anything for long.

The mind and one’s true nature may seem like two different things, but they are truly one. They come from the same source and show two sides of the same being—yet they are never apart. The only difference is this: the true nature is still, while the mind is always moving.

Like a lotus gracefully rising from the earth, this noble spirit lives within—whole from the start. The treasury of sacred scriptures, rich with timeless wisdom, is stored deep in the heart. The spirit of ancient poems and teachings is part of our true nature, and the deeper meaning of honoring ancestors, upheld by the Buddha, has always been within the true path.