The Purpose of Our Diligent Practice

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, as we invite the spirits to join us in the Dharma, the atmosphere at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is filled with a unique, purposeful energy. We often find ourselves caught in the busyness of our daily tasks, yet we must pause to reflect on the deeper significance of this activity. Why do we work so tirelessly? Is it merely to complete a list of duties, or is there a higher calling that drives our efforts?

The True Meaning of Our Diligence

We are busy for one reason alone: to seek Awakening and to realise our true nature. When we see the practitioners at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre working with such dedication, it is a sight that brings great joy. Beings in this world suffer immensely, and I cannot bear to let this precious time slip away in vain. We must use this time to cultivate our practice, for only after we have achieved success in our own diligent practice can we truly enter the world to save those who are suffering.

To achieve this, you must hold a firm and unwavering heart. Your perseverance must be constant, and your purification of body, mind, and spirit must be relentless. Do not let your resolve falter, for the path to Buddhahood requires a steady, unyielding commitment to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Compassion for Our Karmic Creditors

In your journey, you must never forget the compassion you owe to your karmic creditors. Although they may appear to be here to settle old debts or seek revenge for past grievances, their presence is, in reality, a plea for help. They are seeking Chao Du, hoping to be liberated from their suffering. You must not view them with disdain or treat them lightly. Instead, recognise that their arrival is an opportunity for both of you to find peace.

Remember that all beings are essentially one with you, and you are one with all beings. If the suffering of others is not resolved, your own suffering will remain, and you will continue to be bound by the cycle of rebirth. If you can help them leave their suffering behind, you are simultaneously untying the knots that bind your own heart.

The Path of Chanting Namo Amituofo

This interconnectedness is the very essence of karmic conditions and the causes and effects that govern our lives. You must truly understand this truth. While everything we experience in this world may seem like a dream, every single event is manifesting right before your eyes. If you have not yet reached Awakening, you will remain trapped within these illusions. However, if you realise your true nature, you will be able to transcend them.

When you reach this state, you will no longer be affected by suffering, and you will have the power to help all other beings escape their own suffering as well. You must strive to awaken your great wisdom and great compassion. Among all the methods in the Dharma, chanting Namo Amituofo is the most direct and effective path. This is the practice you must embrace in every moment, for it is the key to your liberation and the salvation of all beings.

Namo Amituofo