The Path to Realising One's True Nature

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on 22 August 2021.

The Ultimate Goal of Practice

Realising one's true nature is the primary objective for every practitioner who follows the Buddha's teachings. When one achieves this state, one is said to have realised one's true nature and attain Buddhahood. This is not merely a theoretical concept; it means that the practitioner now possesses the same Buddha-heart, the same Buddha-vows, and the same Buddha-actions as the Buddhas themselves.

The Rarity of Human Achievement

To realise one's true nature while still in a human body is an exceptionally rare and precious occurrence. It is a profound opportunity that is difficult to encounter in the cycle of rebirth. Because there are individuals in this world who have successfully realised their true nature and attained the Buddha's path, the Buddha's teachings are able to manifest their true power. These awakened beings are capable of the following:

• Subduing demonic enemies that seek to disrupt the path of practice.
• Facing the challenges of demonic interference without fear or hesitation.
• Carrying out the noble work of saving the world and delivering sentient beings from suffering.

The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang

Students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are truly fortunate to reside in this sacred place of practice. You are constantly immersed in a pure environment, surrounded by the purifying light of the Buddha. You must understand that the place where you currently practise is not an ordinary location; it is a rare and blessed sanctuary. Therefore, you should apply yourselves with diligent practice, keeping your ultimate goal clearly in mind: to realise your true nature and to guide all sentient beings back to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Freedom of the Awakened

Those who have realised their true nature have achieved a state of complete self-mastery. Their bodies and minds are no longer controlled by external forces or past karmic influences. Having verified the emptiness of all phenomena, they have cleared their past karmic debts and have transformed their very being. Because of this, they possess the following abilities:

• They can move freely between this world and the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss using their spiritual Dharma Body.
• They can perform Chao Du to help sentient beings and spirits enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
• They are no longer bound by the cycle of rebirth, having transcended the limitations of the physical realm.

A Call to Diligence

Namo Amituofo expresses a sincere hope that all students will take their practice seriously and work with great diligence. You are in a place of the Buddha; use this time well to cultivate your heart and mind. Strive to realise your true nature as early as possible, so that you may join Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su in the great work of saving all suffering beings and guiding them back to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo