A Life of Fulfilment Through Diligent Practice

The Daily Rhythm of Practice

To the fourfold assembly of disciples at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I offer these words of encouragement. Every morning, you rise before the dawn, arriving at the Buddha hall well before 1:30 AM. Under the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su, you begin your prostrations, which serve as the foundation of your daily practice. This is not merely a routine; it is the vital start to your spiritual day.

After more than an hour of dedicated prostrations, you continue your practice by chanting the name of Namo Amituofo and reciting the Sutras. Following this, you partake in your morning meal. At 7:00 AM sharp, the bell is struck to invite the spirits, and you then enter the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. Such a rigorous and tightly structured schedule ensures that the practice of the fourfold assembly is truly fulfilling, allowing you to live a life of profound purpose and spiritual depth.

The Grace of Namo Amituofo

You should feel deep gratitude towards Namo Amituofo and the compassionate blessings of your teachers. Namo Amituofo is constantly radiating light to support and guide the fourfold assembly. The extent to which you can receive this support depends entirely on two factors:

• The degree of purification you have achieved through your practice.
• The depth and sincerity of your faith in Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo’s compassion is infinite, and the Buddha-light shines equally upon every member of the fourfold assembly. However, the amount of energy, the meritorious power of the Buddha’s name, and the divine strength that each individual receives can differ. This is a natural phenomenon, not because the Buddha shows any discrimination, but because each person’s capacity to receive this light varies based on their own state of mind and practice.

The Heart as the Source of All

Therefore, it is essential that the fourfold assembly remains diligent in your purification and your faith. The more you purify your body, mind, and spirit, and the stronger your faith in Namo Amituofo becomes, the more deeply and effectively you will receive the blessings of the Buddha-light and the power of the Buddha’s name. The results of your practice will become increasingly evident in your life.

Everything in your spiritual journey arises from your own heart; it does not come from external sources. This is why I urge you to be diligent in your prostrations, your chanting of Namo Amituofo, and your recitation of the Sutras. The beginning of your day is the most precious time to replenish your spiritual energy. You must understand this truth and make the best use of every moment.

A Rare Opportunity for Awakening

To be able to receive such powerful guidance and the direct influence of the Buddha’s light and name is a rare and precious opportunity that is difficult to encounter in a thousand lifetimes. The fourfold assembly must seize this moment to pursue Awakening and realise your true nature. By doing so, you will surely realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood. Namo Amituofo.