Seeing the Buddha: A Discourse from Namo Amituofo

The Call to Awakening

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are granted a precious opportunity to connect deeply with the Buddha. Namo Amituofo addresses us as grieving children of the Buddha who have finally reached the moment of seeing the Buddha. This is a pivotal turning point in our spiritual journey. We are urged to never again return to the dust of the secular world, for doing so only serves to stain our body, mind, and spirit with the impurities of being reincarnated.

You must realise that this place is not a mere secular ground. It is a sanctuary where the spirit can be nurtured and the heart can be opened. To truly progress, you must dedicate yourself to the cultivation of your body, mind, and spirit. This is the time to wash away the heavy karmic debts accumulated over countless lifetimes within the cycle of reincarnation. By doing so, you begin the essential work of resolving the conflicts with your karmic creditors, allowing your heart to finally find the stillness and peace it has long sought.

Untangling the Knots of Karma

Reflect deeply upon your past and present actions while standing before the Buddha. You may ask yourself how you can possibly untangle the deep knots of resentment held by your karmic creditors. The answer lies in sincere repenting. You must engage in repenting for the sins of your worldly heart—the attachments and ignorance that have kept you bound to the cycle of suffering. Through this sincere repenting, you must vow to engage in diligent practice, moving from confusion to awakening, from wrong paths to the right path, and from impurity to purity, all to realise your true self.

Returning to the Lotus Home

Finally, you are called to align your heart with the Buddha-vow to save all beings. When you share the Buddha-vow, you are no longer acting alone; you are supported by the infinite power of Namo Amituofo. By dedicating your life to this noble purpose, you ensure that you will ultimately leave suffering behind and find true happiness. This is the path that leads you home, back to your true origin in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, where you shall dwell forever in the lotus home of the Buddha.