Weighing Gains and Losses with Wisdom

The eighth consciousness is like a clean, empty house. When the seventh consciousness creates karmic actions, seeds are continuously stored into the eighth consciousness, filling the house with various contents. Regardless of what is stored, the house itself remains clean and pure. However, the combination of the house and its contents is neither pure nor impure. Similarly, a clean cup, when filled with various kinds of water, becomes neither pure nor impure. No matter what water is added, the cup itself remains a clean cup. What we need to do is filter the impure water into pure water, making both the cup and its contents clean.

A defiled mind is entirely filled with the selfish "I." The thoughts and actions of such a mind are impure and do not correspond to the pure essence of the eighth consciousness. To transform oneself, one must continuously condemn the selfish "I"-mind, gradually aligning with the fundamental nature of the eighth consciousness. Gradually, one can then transcend the suffering of rebirth in the impure six realms and move toward the path of liberation and Buddhahood. We should constantly observe our own minds. Upon discovering thoughts of selfishness and self-interest, we must reflect and reproach ourselves. Do not be lenient, do not indulge or accommodate yourself. Hold yourself to a high standard of responsibility, considering your own life and death, striving for swift liberation, and seeking your own emancipation.

Simply by pacifying and emptying the "self" within the mind, aligning with selflessness, one can swiftly realize the truth of no-self without arduous contemplation. The key is to have a simple mind. The mind of no-self is a simple mind, a pure mind, a mind that benefits others. The mind with a "self" is a defiled mind, a filthy mind, the result of which is self-harm, causing oneself to suffer more in the cycle of birth and death.

We should wisely weigh the advantages and disadvantages, gains and losses, of having a "self" versus having no-self. If our mental and physical actions are self-serving, it may superficially appear that we gain something. Even if gains are obtained, they are merely temporary worldly benefits that vanish without a trace once consumed. The benefit of transcending the world and liberating oneself from the suffering of birth and death remains unattained. This is the most enduring, indestructible fruition and virtue, which can be enjoyed for three immeasurable eons until Buddhahood is attained. After attaining Buddhahood, it never disappears, allowing us to enjoy it for endless eons without limit. Which fruition do we truly want? Which recompense do we wish to receive?

The vision of the wise should extend far into the future. The further it extends, the greater the wisdom. Extend it to the next life, future lives, life after life, and immeasurable eons; then the benefits will become increasingly abundant and vast. The unwise are short-sighted, considering only the immediate, minor personal gains, which may not even be attainable. Exhausting all one's mind and intellect for such trivial benefits, scheming to the utmost, may even cost one's very life.