Seeing the Buddha Clearly

The Sacred Path of the Practitioner

The journey of a practitioner is a sacred progression that unfolds in three essential stages: to learn from the Buddha, to chant the name of Namo Amituofo, and ultimately, to attain Buddhahood. My dear children, have you truly seen the Buddha clearly? It is a question that goes beyond the physical form and touches the very core of your spiritual existence.

The Essence of Supreme Enlightenment

What, then, is the Buddha? In the literal sense, the Buddha represents the Supreme, Perfect, and Universal Enlightenment. One who has realised their true nature and attained complete awakening possesses infinite knowledge and boundless capability. The Buddha views all existence as one, without distinction between high or low, offering equal salvation to all beings. Every event that occurs in this universe is known to the Buddha, and everything operates freely within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Four Immeasurables

The Buddha is fully endowed with the Four Immeasurables: Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity, which are the foundation of a compassionate heart. These qualities allow the Buddha to offer infinite support to all beings:

• Loving-kindness: The boundless desire to bring happiness to all beings.
• Compassion: The profound wish to remove the suffering of all beings.
• Joy: The pure delight in the liberation and happiness of others.
• Equanimity: The perfect, impartial state of mind that embraces all without attachment or aversion.

This is the Buddha’s infinite mind-capacity and his all-encompassing tolerance, which embraces the entire universe.

Anchoring the Mind in the Buddha

To see the Buddha clearly is to cultivate a deep, internal connection. We use external supports to guide our senses:

• Eyes: We gaze upon the image of the Buddha to focus our vision.
• Ears: We listen to the chanting of the Buddha-name to focus our hearing.
• Heart: We keep the Buddha within our hearts to provide a sanctuary for our spirit.

These practices provide a foundation for our eyes and ears, and a reliable anchor for our hearts. They prevent us from falling into distraction, drowsiness, agitation, or a state of being without direction. Through these methods, we are able to remain fully present and focused on the current moment.

The Call to Diligent Practice

Regardless of how we perceive the Buddha, the most important aspect of your journey is your own diligent practice. You must strive to achieve success in your cultivation, attain Buddhahood, and use your own awakened Buddha-nature to save those with whom you have a karmic connection. This is how you help them leave suffering behind and find rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

This is not merely a slogan to be spoken; it is a path to be walked. Every step you take, every small effort you make, and every moment of your practice is a testament to your commitment. It is a continuous, endless act of compassion and a vow to save all beings from their suffering. Namo Amituofo.