The Eight Princes and the Door of Pure Mind

In the middle of a dharma talk, before hundreds of attentive faces, Venerable Thich Chan Quang paused gently. His eyes gazed into the distance, as if looking into another world. He spoke slowly, his voice warm and deep like temple bells echoing in the evening twilight.

“Dear Buddhists, there is a beautiful passage in the Lotus Sutra. It tells the story of the Buddha Sun Moon Increased Brightness, who appeared countless eons ago. Before he renounced the world, he had eight sons, all talented princes ruling over the four continents.”

He smiled softly, looking around the hall where people sat in silence, some bowing their heads in thought, others watching with wide, expectant eyes. He continued:

“All of his children had names containing the word ‘Mind’ or ‘Intention.’ The first was Named Possessing Mind, the second Good Mind, then Infinite Mind, Precious Mind, Increasing Mind, Removing Doubt Mind, Turning Toward Mind, and the eighth Dharma Mind. Eight sons, eight names, all bearing the essence of mind.”

He paused briefly, letting the meaning sink into each person’s heart. Then he spoke again, his voice growing deeper and more contemplative:

“Do you understand why these eight princes ruled the entire world? This is not merely a worldly tale, but a metaphor. When our minds are not yet awakened, when we have not found enlightenment, our thoughts—our deluded consciousness—run everywhere without stopping. One moment they jump to Hanoi, the next they rush to Ca Mau, then fly to America, or return to Australia. This restless mind rules across the four continents, unstoppable by anything.”

A few people in the audience nodded slightly, recognizing themselves in his words. Venerable Thich Chan Quang looked directly at them, his voice becoming stronger:

“Similarly, when our minds are not pure, our thoughts wander endlessly, clinging to everything external. We see a cup and immediately label it ‘cup.’ We see a machine and call it ‘machine.’ We see a person and name them ‘Ms. Lan,’ ‘Mr. Nam,’ or ‘Mr. Bay.’ Every object and every person is labeled by our consciousness, assigned a name and a form. From these labels, greed, selfishness, competition, and jealousy arise.”

He stopped, surveyed the room, and spoke again, his tone lowering like a heartfelt confession:

“But do you know that this thinking consciousness is only a tiny part of your true nature? It is like a small bubble on the water’s surface, while true wisdom and the pure mind are vast like the ocean. Only when we practice letting go of delusional thoughts and allow the mind to settle can we discover the immense wisdom within.”

He resumed the story: “After the Buddha Sun Moon Increased Brightness passed into nirvana, his sons followed Bodhisattva Wonderful Light to study the path, eventually succeeding one another as Buddhas. What does this mean? It means that when our minds find the Buddha’s teachings and attain enlightenment, all those wandering thoughts gather back into unity. We no longer chase external conditions or get pulled by fame and profit.”

Venerable Thich Chan Quang paused for a moment, then said gently:

“Try observing yourselves. When someone holds up an object, do you immediately name it? If you look without generating any name in your heart, without stirring a thought, that is pure wisdom. But if you label it instantly upon seeing it, that is discriminating consciousness. This consciousness can lead us toward good or evil, depending on how we use it.”

He emphasized:

“In the past, we used our thoughts to follow unwholesome paths, causing much suffering in our lives. But today, having taken refuge in the Three Jewels and listened to the teachers, let us resolve to use our thoughts to walk the path of goodness. Let us make great vows: from this life through countless future lives, may we always love all sentient beings without distinction, never harbor hatred, and sacrifice our lives to bring morality, happiness, and enlightenment to everyone.”

His voice suddenly became earnest:

“Do you wish to make such vows? Please try, for this is the starting point of enlightenment. Just as the seeker of fame in ancient times, though attached to reputation and doing wrong, later turned toward wholesome roots and became Maitreya Bodhisattva, destined to become a Buddha. We too must begin with good thoughts, planting new causes for the future.”

He concluded with full confidence:

“Everything begins with a pure mind. When our minds are clear, compassion and wisdom naturally appear. This truth has been correct since countless eons ago, is correct now, and will remain correct forever. Open your hearts wide; do not dwell on petty, narrow concerns. Look further ahead, seeing your existence within the long chain of cause and effect (karmic law), preparing yourself for a future of enlightenment.”

The hall fell silent. Many bowed their heads in reflection, while some pressed their palms together, making silent vows within their hearts.

The Meaning of the Story

The tale of the eight princes whose names contained the word ‘Mind’ serves as a metaphor for human delusion. Before enlightenment, our minds constantly wander, chasing fame, profit, and external appearances. However, when we learn to gather our focus into purity and let go of chaotic thoughts, wisdom and compassion emerge. This is the sole path to enlightenment, as taught by the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang