Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
To build a high-rise, one must first dig deep and establish a stable foundation. Spiritual practice is no different; only by grounding yourself in the fundamental disciplines can you withstand the trials and distractions of the world. If your foundation is shallow, you will easily be swayed by external circumstances or internal confusion. If your foundation is deep and stable, you will be able to endure all manner of tests and the interference of negative forces.
The Essence of Buddha-recitation
You may ask, what exactly are these fundamental skills? The most vital of these is the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo. This is the core of the path. To truly succeed, you must incorporate several essential elements into your daily life:
Arouse the mind:
This is the compassionate intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings.Single-minded recitation:
Focus your entire being on chanting Namo Amituofo, ensuring your mind does not wander.Compassionate protection: You must cherish all sentient beings as you cherish your own life, never abandoning a single one.
When you chant the six-character name of Namo Amituofo with such purity and sincerity that your practice becomes flawless, you will reach a state of profound meditative concentration. Your mind will become as impenetrable as a wall of copper and iron, and your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss will be assured. By extending your to all, you align your heart with the Buddha-heart, making your chanting truly powerful.
The Power of Unwavering Faith
Faith is the bedrock upon which your practice stands. You must cultivate a firm and unshakable belief in Namo Amituofo. You must believe that Namo Amituofo is the Universal Buddha, truly existing, and possessing the power to rescue all beings from the sufferings of samsara, as well as the inevitable cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.
Furthermore, you must hold these truths in your heart:
The reality of the Western Pure Land:
Believe that it is the ultimate destination for all spirits.Your own place in the Pure Land:
Recognise that you are one of these beings, and that by entering the Western Pure Land, you will be free from all suffering and receive only happiness.The path to : Understand that by practising in the Western Pure Land, you will realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood.
Most importantly, you must strive to be of one heart, one vow, and one action with the Buddha. Let your heart be the Buddha’s heart, your vows be the Buddha’s vows, and your actions be the Buddha’s actions.
The Vital Role of
Maintaining the Precepts is the foundation of all spiritual progress. To follow the rules and uphold the discipline is the most basic requirement for any practitioner. If you lack this discipline or break the Precepts, it will be very difficult to achieve success in your practice. Even if you work diligently, it will be like trying to fill a water bottle that has a hole in the bottom.
No matter how much merit and you accumulate, if the hole remains, your efforts will leak away drop by drop. This is why you must never disregard the importance of the Precepts. Upholding the Precepts is the source from which your meditative concentration flows. Remember the sequence of success: through the Precepts, you gain meditative concentration; through meditative concentration, you gain wisdom.
Transforming
Your personality traits are often the manifestation of your . When you find yourself reacting with stubbornness or anger, know that this is your karma appearing. Therefore, you must actively work to transform your personality. Replace a rigid, difficult, and unyielding nature with a gentle, soft, and straightforward heart. This is a crucial lesson in your daily practice.
To all the students here at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I urge you to work diligently to lay this foundation. By stabilising your basic skills and moving forward step by step, you will surely reach the day of your own Awakening.
