Meeting Namo Amituofo

The Presence of Namo Amituofo

During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings on where one may truly encounter the presence of Namo Amituofo. You might ask, where can we find Him? Namo Amituofo is not distant; He is present in the heart of every practitioner who chants His name with absolute sincerity. He resides within the Buddha-heart, the Buddha-vows, and the Buddha-actions of those who dedicate their lives to the path of liberation.

Furthermore, Namo Amituofo is found in the hearts of those who earnestly desire rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He is present in that very realm, He is present here at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and He is present within every individual who believes in Him, chants His name, and strives to learn from His infinite compassion.

The Manifestation at Hsiang Kuang

At this very moment, Namo Amituofo truly abides at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This sacred manifestation has occurred because Practitioner Su, a practitioner of the Pure Land path here in the human world, has placed his full faith in Namo Amituofo. He has committed himself to chanting the name, studying the teachings, and practising with unwavering diligence. Through this persistent effort, he has realised his true nature and attained Awakening, becoming one with the Buddha.

Because Practitioner Su is in perfect sync with Namo Amituofo in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the Buddha has descended to reside at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It is for this reason that we address him as Practitioner Su. This is much like the Western Pure Land itself, where every being who reaches that realm shares in the qualities and presence of Namo Amituofo.

The Potential Within Every Practitioner

Everything that Namo Amituofo possesses, the beings of the Western Pure Land also possess. The differences in their manifestation depend solely upon their individual foundations and the depth of their diligent practice. Depending on these factors, they naturally enter the four lands, the three grades, and the nine levels of the Western Pure Land, thereby attaining the capabilities of Namo Amituofo Himself.

Today, because Namo Amituofo is truly residing at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, all members of the community are like the beings in the Western Pure Land. As you deepen your faith, clarify your intentions, and engage in diligent practice, you will naturally receive the blessings of Namo Amituofo. Through this, you too can attain the same capabilities as the Buddha. We hold Practitioner Su as the model for this path, which is why we honour him with this title.

A Call to Diligent Practice

You should truly cherish the opportunity to be close to Namo Amituofo, to the teachers, and to Practitioner Su at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. In your study of the Pure Land path, you must seek the Dharma with great vigour. You must internalise the words of the Buddha, understand the Buddha-heart, and work to change your personality traits. By doing so, you will eventually reach Awakening and attain Buddhahood.

Let us all move forward with the Buddha-heart and the Buddha-vows. Together with the teachers and Practitioner Su, let us walk the path of saving the world and rescuing infinite suffering beings, guiding them all to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo