The Purity of the Original Nature

The Path of Purification

The fundamental purpose of our spiritual practice is to purify the mind and remove the stains of defilement. By doing so, we strive to realise our true self and return to our original, awakened nature. This journey of returning to the source is the most important work one can undertake in this lifetime. However, as we grow up in this worldly environment, we are constantly exposed to various influences that cloud our clarity and obscure our inner light.

The Weight of Worldly Stains

Throughout our lives, we are surrounded by the distractions of the world. These influences manifest in two primary ways that hinder our progress:

• The Five Desires: The constant pursuit of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
• The Five Poisons: The internal afflictions of Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt.

For a practitioner, these are not merely habits; they are deep-seated forms of pollution. We must distance ourselves from these attachments and strive to eliminate them entirely. Only when we have successfully cleared these obstacles can we truly experience the purification of the mind and witness our true nature.

The Innocence of the Young

Children are naturally closer to this state of purity. The younger a child is, the less they have been affected by the pollution of the world. They possess a pure and kind Body-Mind-Spirit. When such young souls are guided by a true spiritual friend, it is much easier for them to rediscover their original nature. Their minds are like clear water, not yet muddied by the sediment of worldly experience.

The Urgency of Awakening

In contrast, when adults begin their practice, they often find that their personal ego, habits, and selfishness have already taken shape. These traits are frequently deeply ingrained, having been reinforced by years of living in a world filled with various forms of contamination. It requires a great deal of effort and diligent practice to purify these layers of conditioning. Sadly, many practitioners find that their lives come to an end before they have had the chance to complete this purification and realise their true nature. This is a source of great regret.

This is why we encourage everyone to begin their study of the Buddha’s teachings as early as possible. By growing up in the pure and virtuous environment of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, one can preserve the original, pure, and kind nature of their Body-Mind-Spirit. We hope that by starting early, you will have sufficient time to open up space within your heart, to chant Namo Amituofo, and to successfully find your way back to your true self. Namo Amituofo.