The Foundation of Confidence in Self-Nature

The Pillar of Spiritual Strength

Confidence in one's self-nature is of paramount importance, whether one is navigating the affairs of the world or walking the path of transcendence. This is especially true for spiritual practice. If your practice lacks the firm backing of confidence in your self-nature, it will inevitably appear weak and lack the necessary vitality. When your inner conviction is absent, your vows remain unmanifested, and it becomes impossible to achieve spiritual success.

Without this inner strength, your practice remains superficial, unable to penetrate the depths of the heart. Those who possess this confidence believe in the Buddha and believe in themselves; they trust deeply that they possess an original nature and a Buddha-nature capable of attaining Buddhahood. By generating Bodhicitta and chanting the Buddha-name, they can enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Two Paths of Belief

Conversely, those who lack this confidence may believe in the Buddha, yet they harbour deep-seated doubt regarding their own potential. They do not truly believe that they possess the same Buddha-nature as the enlightened ones. Consequently, even if they chant the Buddha-name with great diligence, they cannot fully resonate with the Buddha-heart and the Buddha-vows to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, finding themselves instead in the borderland of doubt.

It is time to awaken this confidence. You must believe that you are capable of reaching the goal. You must trust that your Buddha-nature is sufficient to attain the Buddha's path. Your original nature is inherently filled with the most beautiful qualities: kindness, compassion, joy, and the ability to let go. These qualities are not absent; they are merely covered and submerged by the dust of our past actions.

Uncovering the Hidden Light

Through the process of purification, you can help yourself recover these inherent abilities one by one. Do not let the temporary situations you face in this moment cause you to lose faith in your own potential. Believe in yourself. Cherish every day, every hour, every minute, and every second with a joyful heart. This is the mark of one who possesses true Wisdom.

If you could see how many people in this world are currently suffering because they have lost their confidence and do not believe in themselves, living lives unable to master the cycle of aging, sickness, and death, you would understand the urgency of this teaching. Do you truly wish to live such a life?

The Ultimate Path to Liberation

If you do not, then please raise your confidence. Raise the Buddha-name, and chant one Buddha's name to the end. Chant until you reach the state of no-self and no selfishness. Chant until you awaken the Buddha-nature within you. This is the moment you reclaim your true self. When you do, you will be able to master your own destiny, return freely to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and follow the Buddha to save countless suffering beings. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe