Welcoming Guests to the Pure Land Path

The Meaning of Being a Guest

Who is truly a guest? Whether you are a dedicated student of the Buddha, a newcomer just beginning to explore these teachings, or someone who has yet to study the Dharma, all who enter the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are considered guests. To be a guest here is to enter a sacred space where one learns to follow the customs of the temple. This means joining in the practice of chanting the name of Namo Amituofo, performing prostrations, reciting the Sutras, and listening to the teachings of the Pure Land. You may find that this experience feels quite different from your past life. This is because you have stepped into a realm where the atmosphere is transformed by the presence of the enlightened.

A Rare Encounter with the Dharma

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are in the presence of Namo Amituofo, who truly abides here. You are also in the company of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju and Practitioner Su, who has realised his true nature. To encounter such beings and to hear the profound Dharma in this lifetime is a rare and precious event. You have been given access to the great teachings of how to reach awakening and become a Buddha, which is the only way to achieve true liberation from the cycle of rebirth and secure your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You must cherish this moment with all your heart, for such opportunities do not come easily.

Planting Seeds of Merit

If you are able to practise Generosity at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—a place where Namo Amituofo is residing—you are cultivating blessings and planting seeds in a fertile field of merit. Those who do so are truly people of great fortune. Furthermore, if you can sincerely chant the name of Namo Amituofo, you are establishing a deep karmic connection with Amitabha Buddha. This connection ensures that, in time, you will certainly be saved and find your way into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Journey to Awakening

In our daily lives, our Six Roots are constantly interacting with the Six Dusts of the external world. Because of this, we remain trapped within the laws of karma and cause and effect. Our experiences of suffering and happiness are governed by our past actions, leaving us unable to take control of our own destiny. We often fail to realise that our true self is always present, waiting to be discovered. Only by finding this true self can one truly take charge of one's life. Those who have successfully done this are known as those who have realised their true nature. To achieve this, you must be willing to put in the necessary effort, practising with diligence and persistence. You must actively engage in the purification of your body, mind, and spirit, for only then will you have the opportunity to rediscover your original nature.

Opening the Heart to the Pure Land

When we welcome guests, Namo Amituofo is fully aware of every heart that enters. Just as the white and red peach blossoms bloom when spring arrives, we hope that every guest who visits this temple can open their heart to the truth. Entering the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is a tremendous blessing, for it provides the path for you to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and join the Land of the Golden Lotus. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo