Everything is Said in Silence

The Illusory Nature of Our Worldly Dreams

The prosperity and bustle of this world are like a fleeting dream. When you finally wake up, you will realise that there is nothing left to hold onto. Yet, how many of us continue to entrust our hearts to these dreams, only to find ourselves covered in scars and shedding tears of regret? Why do we insist on suffering over the events of a dream? When the conditions of our lives come to an end, we are scattered, only to be reborn into yet another lifetime. If we fall into the cycle of rebirth, we will change our faces and our forms. We will become strangers to one another, unable to recognise those who were once our parents, our children, or our dearest loved ones. This is the tragic reality of samsara.

The Heavy Burden of Emotional Entanglements

On the path of emotional entanglements, we accumulate endless debts of gratitude and resentment. These emotional bonds are difficult to sever, and it is best not to touch them at all. To "see through" and "let go" of these worldly facts is the most important task for any practitioner. You must stop letting your heart be moved by the affairs of this world. Breaking free from emotional attachment is your primary objective. Remember that desire is like a sharp blade resting above your head. It is the foremost of the Precepts, and you must not violate it. You must know how to distance yourself from such temptations and never allow yourself to become tainted. Maintain a sense of caution and fear, for this is how you protect your wisdom and your spiritual life.

The Precious Opportunity at Hsiang Kuang

The practice at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly precious; it is not ordinary or common. You must seize this moment to practise diligently, for this is the perfect time to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood. If you allow this opportunity to pass by easily, you will continue to suffer and endure the pains of the cycle of rebirth. You must protect your Body-Mind-Spirit in this life, stopping all delusions and refusing to harbour any attachment. This is the only way to ensure your progress on the Buddha's path.

The Power of Continuous Recitation

Practise 24/7, chanting Namo Amituofo with continuous chanting without interruption. By relying on the power of the Pure Land and the support of Amitabha Buddha, from the moment you first generate the Bodhicitta until you reach the Buddha's path, a single Buddha-name is enough to achieve success. I hope that all of you can understand this ultimate reality. Do not let your heart be moved or disturbed in your quiet retreats. Everything is said in silence. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.