The Perpetual Dharma of Arising and Ceasing

The Land of Ultimate Bliss exists within the Buddha's mind, and within the mind of every being. Apart from the true mind, all phenomena are objects within the true mind, produced and manifested by the true mind; therefore, they are subject to arising and ceasing. Only the true mind is unarisen and unceasing. Although the Land of Ultimate Bliss will endure for an immensely long period, it will ultimately cease to exist; we simply do not know how long this period is. Originally, there was no Land of Ultimate Bliss; it was established only after Amitabha Buddha made his great vows. Thus, it did come into existence; it had a beginning. There is no phenomenon in the world that arises without eventually ceasing; this is the law governing the operation of the Dharma Realm. From another perspective, the Land of Ultimate Bliss is a manifestation of the true mind and is also part of the true mind, thus belonging to the true nature.

Since the true mind is unceasing, all phenomena will always exist in some form; when they cease, they will be reborn again. The characteristic of all phenomena is to be constantly arising. While individual phenomena ceaselessly arise and cease, changing impermanently, they exist perpetually in the aggregate because phenomena always reappear. Whether we cling to the Land of Ultimate Bliss or not, it is subject to arising and ceasing. From the perspective of the true mind's essence, it possesses the nature of true suchness. All phenomena cease and then arise again, arise and then cease again. Because the true mind, the Tathagatagarbha, exists, all phenomena can arise and cease. Over the long term, the phenomenal world will always continuously reappear in the world.