Understanding the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way

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

On the twentieth of January, 2024, during the second session of the ceremony:

The Foundation of the Righteous Path

To be a true practitioner, one must clearly understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Only when you possess this clarity can you walk the path of righteousness without veering into confusion. If your actions are guided by a biased perspective or a selfish heart, you are effectively acting in opposition to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. When you choose to go against these principles, you move further away from the goal of seeing your true nature. Furthermore, because you have already planted the seeds of selfishness and bias, the consequences you will inevitably face will be filled with suffering.

Cultivating Goodness in Thought, Word, and Deed

Those who truly understand the Truth know that their daily life must be a reflection of that understanding. This means that you must:

• Perform good deeds:
• Ensure that every action you take is rooted in compassion and benefits all beings.Speak good words:
• Use your speech to uplift others and spread the Dharma, rather than causing harm or discord.Maintain good thoughts: Keep your mind focused on the welfare of all sentient beings, rather than seeking personal gain or satisfaction.

Conversely, if you fail to cultivate these virtues and instead act in ways that harm others for your own benefit, you are once again acting in direct opposition to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This creates a deep chasm between you and your true self, and by planting these unwholesome seeds, you will certainly reap the bitter fruits of suffering in the future.

The Illusion of the Material World

Those who understand the Truth recognise that what we perceive in this world is merely a temporary appearance, not the ultimate reality. It is a great tragedy to be deceived by these fleeting illusions and, as a result, continue to create negative karma. Understanding the Truth is a powerful tool that helps you avoid committing errors and suffering the consequences dictated by the laws of karma and cause and effect. However, you must ask yourself: is your life not finite? As the laws of karma and cause and effect continue to unfold, will you have enough time to truly change your ways?

The Urgency of Transformation

You must seek every opportunity to repent, to change your ways again and again, and to transform your karma so that you may finally see your true nature. If your life comes to an end before you have had the chance to repent and transform your karma, then the hope of seeing your true nature in this lifetime will be lost. The opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land will become very slim. If you miss this chance, when will you ever again encounter the conditions to learn the Buddha’s teachings, chant Namo Amituofo, and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land as you can today?

Therefore, as a practitioner, you must know the facts of reality and understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. You must engage in diligent practice in every single moment. Do not let even a fleeting second pass in vain. Namo Amituofo.