The Gate is a unique path that relies upon two distinct forces: the power of and the power of the Buddha. It is only when you apply your own sincere vow and diligent practice that the infinite power of can truly take hold and provide the necessary support for your journey. Many practitioners wonder how they can achieve success in their spiritual lives, and the answer lies in this harmonious union of effort and grace.
In this current age of the Dharma's decline, the path to achievement through the Pure Land teachings is the most reliable way forward. This was the profound instruction given by Shakyamuni Buddha himself. Because the karmic obstacles of sentient beings are so heavy and deep, it is incredibly difficult for one to break free from the layers of karmic bondage through self-effort alone. We require the compassionate support of the Buddha to reach out and pull us toward liberation. For those of you at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are blessed to have the protection and guidance of Practitioner Su. You must cherish this rare opportunity, for it is a connection that is difficult to encounter in millions of years.
The Engine of Vow and Practice
How does one cultivate ? It begins with the act of making a vow and then putting that vow into action. A vow is the original driving force that supports every form of achievement. Whether in the mundane world or the spiritual realm, those who succeed are always supported by a strong vow or a clear, driving purpose. They move forward with courage, overcoming every difficulty, and only then do they reach their goal. The study and practice of the Buddha's teachings are no different.
The Pure Land Dharma Gate is particularly magnificent because, by reciting the name of Namo Amituofo, you receive the support of the Buddha's own vows. This allows your practice to be assisted by the Buddha's power, enabling you to receive the benefits of the Dharma in a way that is truly extraordinary.
The Vessel of Sincerity
Within the practice of self-power, the process of right faith and right understanding in Buddhist education is indispensable, regardless of which Dharma Gate one follows. This is especially true for diligent practice. When you encounter any doubt or confusion, if you rely on the guidance of a true spiritual friend and continue your own diligent practice, you will naturally receive the assistance of the Buddha's power. However, the essential conditions for this are a sincere heart and a spirit of deep respect.
The Buddha's teachings are sought through respect, and there is no other way. Consider the metaphor of a cup: if a cup is already filled to the brim, no matter whether you pour in sweet nectar or the finest ambrosia, it will only spill over. You will not be able to absorb the essence or the delicious flavour of the liquid. Therefore, your cup must not be full. You should keep it half-full or perhaps eighty percent full, but never let it be completely overflowing with your own preconceived notions and arrogance.
The of
The Six Paramitas—the six perfections of the Bodhisattvas—are the path to full and perfect achievement, which is the moment of becoming a Buddha. These are:
Generosity: Giving of oneself and one's resources without attachment.
Discipline: Maintaining the to keep the mind pure and focused.
Patience: Enduring all hardships and provocations with a calm heart.
Diligent Practice: Moving forward with unwavering effort on the path to .
Meditation: Cultivating a state of deep, undisturbed concentration.
Wisdom: Realising the true nature of reality and the emptiness of all phenomena.
Each of these perfections is practised simultaneously with the other five. They interact and function together, yet they can also be practised individually without conflict. This is the inclusive and unique nature of Mahayana Buddhism. Every action is both a way to save oneself and a way to save others. Space encompasses both the empty and the manifest, while time flows through the past, present, and future. When time and space are infinite, the capacity of the mind encompasses them all.
The Unity of All Beings
This means that for a practitioner of the Mahayana path, the power of action and the power of saving others are both contained within the heart. When this heart is empty and manifest, it contains the heavens, the earth, all things, and the entire universe. There is no distinction between self and other, no "doing" and no "non-doing." In this state, the person, the other, the Buddha, and the demon are all one. All beings possess the same original Buddha-nature; they only appear different because of their delusion, discrimination, and attachment.
Although Mahayana Buddhism may have distinctions in its written texts, in essence, they are all the same, for all dharmas are mind-only. Until this mind is unified and restored to its original state, we still require the skillful means of language and text to guide us toward a common understanding and a shared path. The essence of the Mahayana is the Pure Land. The Ultimate Vow of Amitabha Buddha encompasses all existence; it has already contained the entire Dharma Realm within it, without a single exception.
There is only the difference of whether or not the causal conditions have matured; there is no difference between you, me, or others. In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, everyone is unique, yet everyone contains the whole. This means that you and I are one. There is no distinction of high or low. Differences only exist because of the varying manifestations of phenomena, but the essence is identical. All possess the Buddha-nature and all can become a Buddha. Every flower, every blade of grass, every insect, and every bird in this universe is a living creature and a child of Namo Amituofo. They are only lost because of their confusion and are drifting through the six realms of existence. As long as they turn back, everyone can sit beneath the throne of Namo Amituofo and everyone can become a Buddha.
This spiritual connection is rare and precious. Having heard the teachings of the Pure Land, do not let your heart be moved by worldly distractions. Let your heart be moved only by one thing: the name of Namo Amituofo. Let us save all those with whom we have a karmic affinity and travel together to the West.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
IN THIS COLLECTION
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