Taking Command of Your Own Destiny

The Sacred Purpose of Our Spiritual Journey

Why do we engage in spiritual practice? We do so to save ourselves and to save all other beings. Our ultimate goal is to resolve the great matter of life and death, to transcend the three realms of existence, and to ensure that we no longer suffer the endless cycle of rebirth. This is the fundamental reason for our dedication to the path.

If you are a practitioner, you must understand that the matter of life and death is the most important issue you will ever face. If you wish to be the master of your own life—rather than allowing your karma to dictate your fate—you must engage in diligent practice. You must work to transform your karma and realise your true nature.

A Precious Sanctuary for Transformation

Your time spent at Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary is a precious opportunity to break free from the heavy chains of karmic force and the suffering of birth and death. You must be active and positive in your practice. Seize every moment, for this is the time to secure your future.

Throughout history, ordinary people have found it difficult to master the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Instead, they have allowed their lives to be controlled by karma and karmic creditors. The laws of karma and cause and effect are the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Everything we experience is a result of the causes we have planted. Whether you experience suffering or happiness, it is not up to others to decide; it is not up to your karmic creditors to determine your fate. You must take responsibility through diligent practice, transforming your karma and realising your true nature.

The Radiant Essence Within All Beings

Realising your true self is the only path to genuine, lasting happiness. Many people in this world do not realise that this true nature is something we all inherently possess. It is not a special gift reserved only for Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; it is the original essence of every being. Ordinary people, animals, and even beings in the spiritual realms all possess this nature. There is not a single being who lacks this potential; every one of us has the capacity to become a Buddha.

The Courageous Path to Awakening

Because our spiritual obstacles are so heavy, the path to Buddhahood requires us to learn from the Buddha and commit ourselves to practice. Chanting Namo Amituofo requires a great deal of effort and skill; this is precisely why we practise. You must be fiercely diligent. Only through such persistent and courageous effort will you find your way back to your true self, realise your true nature, and attain Buddhahood. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo