Compassion as the Foundation of Practice

Compassion is the fundamental heart of every practitioner, especially for those who have left the home life to become monastics. When one truly witnesses the suffering of sentient beings, a natural desire arises to alleviate that pain and bring them peace. This is the essence of a compassionate heart.

The Path of Dharmakara Bhikshu

Consider the story of Lokesvararaja Buddha. When Dharmakara Bhikshu heard the teachings of Lokesvararaja Buddha, he developed the supreme, genuine intention to attain the path. He renounced his home, abandoned all desires, and became a monk. Driven by profound compassion and fierce diligence, he spent five kalpas contemplating and establishing the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through his Forty-eight Great Vows. Upon the perfect fulfilment of every single vow, he attained Buddhahood and became known as Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo Abides at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

For ten kalpas, Namo Amituofo has been leading countless suffering beings into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Today, Namo Amituofo truly abides at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This provides a rare and precious opportunity for sentient beings in the ten directions and the Dharma realms to receive Chao Du and finally leave suffering behind.

The Tireless Spirit of the Ancestral Masters

The ancestral masters and venerable masters, moved by the suffering of beings, cultivated their own hearts with compassion. They practised diligently to realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood, thereby launching their life’s work of saving beings. You might wonder: how can they continue this work without ever feeling tired or weary? Even when the physical body feels exhausted, their hearts remain focused on the suffering of others. This is the power of compassion—a heart that cannot bear to see others suffer and wishes only for them to find happiness. This heart is priceless; it cannot be purchased with any amount of wealth or gold.

Awakening the Compassion Within

Everything in this world possesses a spirit. We must cherish all life. When you see a living being about to face the pain of slaughter, you should reflect: how can I bear to harm another life just to satisfy my own cravings? When this thought arises, your compassion is revealed. You choose to follow the path of compassion and resolve to adopt a vegetarian diet.

The Great Work of Dharma Propagation

The propagation of the Buddha’s teachings requires a collective effort. It needs:

• Teachers who transmit the Dharma with clarity and devotion.
• Dharma protectors who support the practice and ensure the temple remains a place of purity.
• A community dedicated to teaching beings and helping them leave suffering behind to find rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Only through this unity can the great work of saving beings be accomplished. Namo Amituofo.