What Is the Capacity of the Mind?

A vast mind accomplishes great deeds; a small mind accomplishes minor deeds; a mind without measure accomplishes nothing. What is meant by the measure of the mind? It refers to the capacity of the mind to contain dharmas. What does "the mind encompasses the vast emptiness, its measure pervades all dust-mote worlds" mean? This indicates that the mind's capacity is so immense that it contains even the vast emptiness; its measure extends to as many worlds as there are grains of sand. Besides the Buddha-mind with its eight consciousnesses, which can encompass the vast emptiness and pervade all dust-mote worlds, the Tathāgatagarbha of sentient beings is also like this.

Although the Tathāgatagarbha encompasses the vast emptiness and pervades all dust-mote worlds, the Tathāgatagarbha is the Tathāgatagarbha; it does not mean the seven consciousnesses are the same. Many people's Tathāgatagarbha can encompass the vast emptiness, yet their own seven consciousnesses can only encompass themselves, along with their family and relatives. With such a small measure of mind, nothing significant can be accomplished. The mind-measure of sentient beings is hardly like that of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who carry the entire Buddhist cause and all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm within their minds. Without this measure of mind, if one busies oneself day after day solely for personal gain, thinking only of personal matters and family affairs, and with such a mind seeks the Buddha Way, hoping to gain benefits from the Dharma—that is impossible.

Some people, at the slightest sign of trouble, scurry like rats, hide away, and adamantly refuse to step forward no matter what happens in Buddhism. Yet when they themselves face difficulties, they seek help everywhere. For those with such conduct, it is no injustice if they suffer the pains of birth and death through long kalpas. Many people rely on Buddhism, treating it as their home, hoping to receive the blessings of the Triple Gem. But when the home of Buddhism has needs, when the Triple Gem requires protection, these people hide far away, watching the difficulties of Buddhism and the Triple Gem as if it were a spectacle. How can such people be called disciples of the Buddha? How can they receive the blessings of the Buddhist Triple Gem? Still others are immersed in worldly trivialities, their afflictions knowing no rest. Their vision is as narrow as that of ants; every day is filled with disputes and entanglements, endless suffering and vexation, with no awakening in sight.

The Shurangama Sutra states: "They do not know that this physical body, as well as external mountains, rivers, empty space, and the great earth, are all within the wondrous, bright true mind." The five aggregates body extends far beyond, from inside out; its scope is vast, not limited to the size of one's physical form alone. Therefore, do not cling to minor matters every day. How much better to grasp the great matter of birth and death! To spend each day on insubstantial, illusory matters is to have too narrow a vision. If one broadens their vision and opens the measure of their mind, all dharmas will become empty. How wonderful it would be for the mind to be empty, tranquil, liberated, and at ease! Why cling day after day to greed, hatred, delusion, and the ceaseless creation of afflictions? Why can the measure of the mind not be opened? It is because of heavy karmic obstructions, meager blessings, lack of wisdom, and limited understanding—thus the mind's capacity remains small. The principles of cultivation seem perfectly clear, yet one simply cannot put them into practice. It is like seeing lofty mountains and vast oceans through a telescope, yet being utterly unable to reach them in person. To remain stuck at the theoretical level, unable to implement it in practice at all, is precisely because the measure of the mind cannot be opened.