Since, in all matters, their effects must have a cause and their cause must lead to an effect, the past, present, and future are mutually interconnected through relationships of causes, conditions, and effects, ceaselessly circulating over and over and unfolding this infinite world. If there is a plant here that is thriving, one may surmise that its seed was originally of good quality and it received adequate soil and fertilizer. Then, one can readily understand that if one sows a good seed today in good soil and adequately fertilizes it, the plant will thrive. Sentient, insentient, and all things do not diverge from this principle as they are created, mature, and change. Therefore, if one lives a good life through the seed that is the numinous consciousness, the soil that is cause and conditions, and the use of fertilizer that accords with moral principles, then all these meritorious qualities will accordingly manifest in the effect. Furthermore, if one cultivates the seeds of posterity well by following the Ways of repose and nirvāṇa, the eternal future will also be assured. Hence, all these principles working together as reciprocal bases throughout the beginning, middle, and final stages of our lives will determine all of our future life.
Now, to sum up the main principles of the spirit that underlies all these Ways: from prenatal education up through nirvāṇa, cultivating and applying a pure mind, a mutually life-giving mind, and an impartial mind prove to be both the greatest dharmas and the greatest treasures in the eternal world. As an ancient said,
One thought of right-mindedness is a bodhimaṇḍa,
It is better than building seven-jeweled stūpas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.
Those bejeweled stūpas will ultimately be reduced to dust,
But one thought of right-mindedness produces right enlightenment.
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