Moving Forward According to Vows

The Seasons of a Practitioner's Life

Generally speaking, the years between twenty and forty-five are the prime period for a person to sprint forward. This is the time to exert one's full energy to manifest aspirations and put goals into action. Following this, the years from forty-five to sixty represent a period of stability, transitioning from initial effort into a consistent application of the chosen path.

In the context of Pure Land practice, this progression is the manifestation of Faith, Vows, and Practice. It is the time to allow the innate virtues of your pure body and your accumulated skills to emerge. You must continue this diligent work until your vows are fulfilled, at which point you will be ready to advance toward even greater vow-power.

The Process of Awakening

The practice of saving beings is the process of moving forward according to your vows. You are also a being who needs to be saved. Therefore, you must engage in a continuous cycle of refinement: purify yourself, cultivate Goodness, and continue until every trace of impurity is gone, allowing you to see your true nature.

The students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are truly fortunate. Throughout this process of seeing your true nature, you are not walking alone. You have the support of the Buddha, the guidance of the teachers, the assistance of Practitioner Su, and the protection of the Dharma protectors, all leading you forward.

A Call to Gratitude and Action

This is rare and difficult to encounter. Many practitioners consider the support provided here to be inconceivable. You should feel deep gratitude for the grace of the Buddha, the kindness of the teachers, and the compassionate efforts of Practitioner Su. Throughout your life, make the best use of this human form by moving forward according to your vows.

I encourage you to hold these aspirations close: remain pure and diligent in your purification; find your true nature as soon as possible; save yourself and, following the Buddha, help save all beings to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss; and dedicate yourself to spreading the Pure Land teachings throughout the world. By living in this way, you will not fail the grace of the Buddha, the teachers, or Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.