We should all honestly examine our thoughts. What dominates our minds - positive thoughts or negative ones? The quality of our life directly reflects our mental state. With a positive mindset, life flows smoothly; with a negative one, life becomes filled with struggles. Even those who are blessed and enjoy great material abundance may experience difficulties in relationships, careers, and beyond if their attitude towards life is pessimistic.

       Why is this the case? Material possessions cannot transform our mind. Instead, our mindset determines our experience of life. Take Yan Hui, a disciple of Confucius for example. Though he lived in a poor quarter of the town with meager food and drink-conditions most would find unbearable- he remained optimistic and content. In contrast, many with a luxury lifestyle feel a constant undercurrent of anxiety. When our mindset is negative, our experience reflects it.

       Do we have just one mind, or many minds? If many, which is one our true self - the positive or negative one? Upon reflection, neither is our true self. Both arise from a deeper, more fundamental source. Where do these thoughts originate? What is the foundation of the mind itself?

       Most people understand the mind superficially, mistaking its manifestations such as positive feelings of gratitude and contentment for its true nature. However, these are merely emotions at the mundane level and cannot liberate us. Whether positive or negative, they are fleeting expressions of the mind, not the mind itself. This is why our emotions constantly shift: from joy to distress, gratitude to resentment. For example, when someone helps us one day, we feel grateful. But if the same person says something hurtful to us the next day, our gratitude turns into anger. These emotions are like surface ripples, while the water beneath is the true nature of the mind.

       Buddhist teachings explain that the mind determines our rebirth. Observing the Five Precepts leads to rebirth in the human realm, while practising the Ten Virtuous Deeds results in rebirth in heavenly realms. The ancient sages said that benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are the foundation of humanity. If we examine our own hearts against these principles, do we possess a heart of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness? Or a heart aligned with the Five Precepts and the Ten Virtuous Deeds? The truth is, we possess neither. 

       Let us look at why humans fall into the animal realm? It’s because the seeds of animal nature are already within us. They exist in our hearts every moment of every day. One doesn’t fall into the animal realm and only then develop the mind of an animal; rather, the animal tendencies are already present, and they manifest when the conditions align. 

       Rebirth into the animal realm is caused by ignorance; rebirth into the ghost realm is brought about by greed and stinginess; and rebirth into the hell realm is the result of hatred. When these tendencies arise in us, the corresponding "mind" is revealed. For example, when anger erupts, the mind of hell appears. When greed and craving blaze uncontrollably, the mind of a hungry ghost is exposed. When greed, anger or ignorance cloud the mind, it naturally gravitates toward these wretched realms.

       Every person carries the seeds of the six realms within their mind, which is why we are trapped in the endless cycle of samsara. In this lifetime, if the human qualities in our mind are more prominent, we are reborn into the human realm. In the next life, if animal tendencies dominate, we fall into the animal realm. Our journey through the six realms is deeply connected to the state of our mind.

       Although we are born as humans, we often fail to embody the heart of a true human being. The Buddha teaches that falling into hell is as swift as an arrow being shot - it happens in an instant. We can observe this by looking at those who neither practice the Dharma nor Amitabha-recitation. When their lives come to an end, what is their state? Often, the condition of a person at death reveals their next destination. Those who pass peacefully are more likely to attain favourable rebirths, while those who die in agony, with faces contorted in suffering, are bound for lower realms. Understanding this, we should be vigilant and cautious in how we live our lives.

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Fojin)