The Pure and Quiet Heart Scripture of Supreme Lord Lao

The wonderful function of the Heavenly Venerable is always before our eyes; every movement of the body and every stir of the heart are all natural.

Lord Lao said: The Dao is both pure and turbid, both quiet and active. Purity and quietness are its foundation, while turbidity and activity are its branches. Thus, yang is pure and yin is turbid, yang is active and yin is quiet; men are pure and women are turbid, men are active and women are quiet. When the foundation descends and flows into the branches, all things are born. Purity is the source of turbidity, and quietness is the basis of activity. If a person can be pure and quiet, they will be valued by the world.

The human spirit craves purity, yet the mind disturbs it; the human mind longs for quietness, yet desires entangle it. If one can always dispel their desires, the mind will naturally become quiet; if one clarifies their mind, the spirit will naturally become pure. Naturally, the six desires will not arise, and the three poisons (greed, anger, delusion) will be eliminated. Those who cannot achieve this fail because their minds are not clarified and their desires are not dispelled.

For those who can dispel desires: when they look inward at the mind, there is no "mind" to be found; when they look outward at the form, there is no "form" to be found; when they look far at things, there is no "thing" to be found. When these three (mind, form, thing) are unattainable, only emptiness is perceived. Yet when one observes emptiness, even emptiness is empty—there is no "emptiness" to be empty of. Once there is no "nothingness," even "the absence of nothingness" ceases to exist. It is utterly serene and always tranquil, yet in that tranquility, there is no "tranquility" to be found. When there is neither tranquility nor the absence of tranquility, all is ultimately void. How then can desires arise?

If desires do not arise, the mind will naturally be quiet. When the mind is naturally quiet, the spirit will be free from disturbance. When the spirit is free from disturbance, it remains always pure and quiet. When one is always pure and quiet, they will unite with the Dao—uniting with the true Dao is called "attaining the Dao." Though it is named "attaining the Dao," there is in reality nothing to attain. Since there is nothing to attain, it is only provisionally called "attainment"—a convenient path opened to transform all living beings.

Lord Lao said: The reason one can attain the Dao lies within their own mind. The Dao is attained through one’s own mind; the Dao itself does not "grant" attainment. What is attained is the Dao attained by oneself, so it cannot properly be called "attainment." Hence, it is said that "in reality, there is nothing to attain."

Lord Lao said: The reason some cannot attain the Dao is that they perceive a "mind" (a separate, substantial self). Once they perceive a "mind," they perceive a "body"; once they perceive a "body," they perceive all things; once they perceive all things, attachment arises; once attachment arises, afflictions arise; once afflictions arise, delusory thoughts arise. When delusory thoughts arise, they are confused by sensory feelings, falling into the sea of turbidity, wandering in the cycle of birth and death, suffering the agony of hell, and forever separated from the Dao. If people remain always pure and quiet, they will attain the Dao by themselves. Thus, a verse is spoken:

The wonderful function of the Heavenly Venerable is always before our eyes; Every movement of the body and every stir of the heart are all natural.

Still your stirring heart and behold the place of movement— In that movement, clarity extends boundlessly.

Boundaries have always been empty by nature; Emptiness is not attained through the mind’s observation and illumination.

When you realize that karmic conditions have no inherent self-nature, You will enter the Purple Wei Palace (abode of the Dao) unimpeded.

Within and without the palace, light shines brilliantly; In the perfection of all dharmas, the Dao lies evenly.

A pure heart is like a clear mirror, bright and unobstructed; Unobstructed and without a clinging mind, the mind is free.

The Dao of equality lies evenly, without distinction— Who can establish heaven and hell?

When the spirit is inwardly tranquil, it neither wanes nor waxes; If good and evil are empty, where can they arise?

Only ordinary people cling to differing views, Forcing distinctions to rise and spread upon the earth.

No matter how many kinds of suffering arise from these distinctions, Examine each one carefully—there is no ruler or master (behind them).

Examine closely: no master, no fundamental origin; Only karmic conditions converge in the moment.

Though they converge in the middle, there is never a "convergence" to grasp; Release the urge to "converge," act with non-doing, and let all things flow freely.

If there are people who understand the meaning of this scripture, and whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, can resolve to recite it with sincere devotion and uphold it deeply in their hearts—they will be able to eliminate countless karmic obstacles and all kinds of evil from past lives. Enemies will be reconciled, and no suffering will befall them. Demons and heretical paths will be subdued by the Dao. I tell all living beings: if you wish to transcend calamities and hardships, each must purify themselves, believe in this scripture, accept it, and practice accordingly.