A Dialogue with Namo Amituofo at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

The Opening of the Sacred Gates

On the morning of May 25, 2017, the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi, respectfully invited Namo Amituofo to provide guidance. Practitioner Su had witnessed a vision during her early morning walking meditation: the magnificent gates of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre were officially opening, signifying that the time had come to welcome and save sentient beings. The scene was one of profound dignity and splendour. In response to this vision, Namo Amituofo offered these compassionate teachings.

To open the gates of the temple is to first open the gates of your own heart. This is a truly magnificent undertaking. All disciples of the Buddha must align their hearts and minds in unity. As the time approaches, countless beings will arrive, each carrying their own unique karmic burdens and diverse states of mind. Just as there are many varieties of rice, there are many varieties of human nature. Many have not yet engaged in serious practice, and they arrive bearing the complex imprints of their past actions.

The Wisdom of a Still Mind

The great wisdom of the Prajna—the highest, most profound wisdom—lies in the state of having no-mind. When you possess this state of no-mind, you can accept all things without being moved by them. You reflect the myriad conditions of the world like a clear, empty mirror. To push open the mountain gates and welcome the masses is to remain steadfast and unshakeable in this state. This is the essence of the work that lies ahead.

You should feel great joy and the bliss of the Dharma in this process. Do not be afraid, for Namo Amituofo abides here. I am the one who oversees this temple in the Saha world, waiting for the time when the seeds of merit have matured, and the temple can truly set sail on its mission to save beings.

A Sanctuary for the Suffering

How many Causal Conditions have gathered to make this possible? How many affinities have aligned? This is not the work of a single day, but the result of the accumulation of immeasurable virtue over countless lifetimes. The fourfold assembly of disciples present here today has arrived exactly when the conditions are ripe. You are here because of your past blessings and your deep connection to the Dharma.

If this place did not exist, where would the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss be found? In this age of the decline of the Dharma, the world is filled with confusion. The True Teachings are difficult to find, and if they are not upheld and propagated, the future for sentient beings will be one of increasing chaos. If the hells are not emptied, they will be filled with the consequences of past actions.

• A Pure Land on Earth: This temple is not built of worldly dust. It is a place that transcends the mundane, serving as a true manifestation of the Western Pure Land.
• A Beacon of Light: If your eyes can perceive it, your heart will surely rejoice. Imagine the golden light of the Buddha, the majestic mountain ranges, the grand architecture, and the towering stupas.
• A Haven for the Lost: Sentient beings are like travellers drifting in the ocean of samsara, their hearts scattered by suffering. They need a place to come ashore.

Returning to the Original Nature

When these beings return to this place, they will all become one with Namo Amituofo. Since everyone possesses the same original nature as the Buddha, how can there be any difference? The delusions of this world are what cause our true nature to be obscured. To find your way back, you must first cut off the roots of your afflictions and stop the cycle of wandering thoughts.

Awaken from your confusion and realise your true nature. Let your heart become compassionate and gentle, and use the wisdom of the Prajna to save and transform others. Welcome all who come to you; do not turn away those who seek help, and do not cling to those who must depart.

Healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is designed to be a sanctuary for the soul, a place for the purification of the body, mind, and spirit, and a clinic for the healing of illnesses and the questioning of the heart. It is a Western Pure Land manifested in the Saha world, here to heal the sick and provide solace to all who seek it.

• For those seeking health: We provide the means to strengthen the body.
• For those seeking peace: We offer the Truth to calm the restless mind.
• For those feeling empty: We provide the spiritual nourishment to fill the void.

Everything that the world lacks, this Pure Land will provide. The disciples of the Buddha have hope, and the Buddha will assist in launching this great vessel. You must let go of all worldly concerns and stop chasing after deluded desires. With a single heart, you must protect this mission. Whether you are leading the way or supporting the journey, this vast temple requires your diligent practice and sincere effort.

The True Wealth of the Practitioner

Everything you see in the void, every minute detail, is a reflection of your own consciousness. Whether you perceive things as good or bad depends entirely on your own mind. Therefore, you must maintain a correct heart, correct intentions, and correct thoughts. Your speech, actions, and practice must all be in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Financial resources are secondary. The true wealth lies in the depth of the Dharma affinities that have been gathered here. You are like the Buddhas of the past. Why seek anything else when you are already here? Protect this mission every second of the day; this is a wealth that money cannot buy. This is true prosperity—the peace of mind that comes from genuine practice and virtue. By practising truly, you will be free from illness, transcend the cycle of birth and death, and find a heart that is forever at peace.

As we prepare to welcome all beings, your skills and your dedication will be tested. All disciples must be diligent. Purify your minds and do not let your thoughts wander. Lead the masses with compassion, free from any trace of selfishness. As you lead, let your conduct be a model for others. Your dignity and virtue will resonate throughout the ten directions. This is the beginning of your awakening, like the rising sun in the east. You are on the right path; it only requires you to turn your heart toward the light.

Namo Amituofo