The Path of Righteousness

The Foundation of Righteousness

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on the twenty-fourth of October, 2020, Namo Amituofo offered profound teachings on the nature of righteousness. To walk the path of the Buddha is to embody this righteousness in every aspect of our existence. It begins with the alignment of our inner state and extends to our outward conduct.

Righteousness is not merely a concept; it is a living practice. It encompasses the following pillars of our daily life:

• Right Heart and Right Thought: Ensuring our intentions are pure and aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
• Right Action: Performing deeds that are consistent with the Truth.
• Right Speech and Right Language: Speaking with clarity, honesty, and compassion, free from the distortions of the ego.
• Right Livelihood: Conducting our lives in a way that upholds the Right Way, ensuring our path remains steady and uncorrupted.

Aligning with the Truth

When your heart is aligned with the Truth, you are in sync with the original nature of the universe. This is the essence of true practice. You must realise that this journey is your own responsibility. Do not look to others to carry your burden; you must take charge of your own spiritual development. How many of us can truly say we are without fault? When you encounter your own shortcomings, you must have the courage to face them directly. Do not remain stagnant. Adjust your course, learn from your mistakes, and continue to move forward with renewed vigour. To truly practise the Dharma, one must be willing to face the self.

Transcending the Private Self

True righteousness requires us to move beyond the boundaries of the small, private self. Often, we are trapped by our own selfish desires, thoughts, and actions. We speak from a place of personal gain, and we live for the sake of our own comfort. This is the common way of the world, but it is not the way of the practitioner.

To reach the state of the Pure Land, you must learn to let go of this private, narrow perspective. When you release your attachment to the self, your heart becomes as vast as the infinite universe. Consider the transformation required:

• From Private to Universal: When your heart, thoughts, actions, and speech are no longer driven by personal gain, you begin to serve all beings.
• The Pure Land Way: A life lived without selfishness is a life that reflects the purity of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

By purifying your life in this manner, you naturally reveal your true nature. This is the path of the righteous, and it is the path that leads directly to the Western Pure Land. These teachings were recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, acting as chief writer.

Namo Amituofo