Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
October 21, 2023
Amitabha Buddha's discourse:
Wisdom is the vital key that unlocks the hidden knots of our lives and resolves the blind spots in our spiritual practice. It is an indispensable condition for achieving a fulfilled life and for realising one's true nature. The Buddha’s teachings are an education, helping all beings understand the laws of and cause and effect. They represent the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path, allowing us to uncover the true reality of existence.
By embracing this wisdom, we can distance ourselves from the inevitable cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and transcend the pain that accompanies these sufferings. It is the key to rediscovering our true self and the profound Prajna wisdom that lies within us all. The three wisdoms of hearing, thinking, and practising can shatter the heavy chains of confusion and afflictions.
The Three Stages of Cultivation
The path to is built upon the foundation of the three types of wisdom:
Hearing the : This is the wisdom gained through listening to the sutras and hearing the Buddha’s teachings. By consistently engaging with the Dharma, we nurture both our wisdom and our , creating a fertile ground for spiritual growth.
Thinking and Reflection: True reflection requires that our thoughts be entirely focused on Goodness and purity, without a single trace of evil or impurity. Our thoughts must be directed toward the welfare of all beings, without a single moment of selfishness or self-interest. If our thoughts are tainted by ego, greed, or self-obsession, they cannot be considered pure wisdom. Pure wisdom is the state where our thoughts are in perfect sync with our true self.
Practising the Dharma: This is the wisdom that manifests through diligent practice and purification. It is the practical application of wisdom in our daily lives. When we practise with diligence, serve the community without selfishness, and work toward the goal of awakening to save all beings, we are truly utilising wisdom in its most effective form.
Purifying
Through the process of diligent practice and purification, we cleanse our Six Roots—the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. When these roots are purified, their original, untainted nature is revealed, allowing us to enter the state of awakening and see our true nature clearly. Our true self and our Buddha-nature are one and the same; they are a single, unified reality that has always been present. Within this true self lies the vast, infinite storehouse of Prajna wisdom. While this wisdom is beyond ordinary knowledge, it is also the source of all-knowing clarity. Once we find our way back to our true self, this boundless wisdom naturally manifests, allowing us to resolve all confusion and break through every obstacle.
The Sword of Wisdom in a Turbid World
In this Five Turbidities and Evil World, if we wish to walk through the world without becoming stained by its impurities, we must be accompanied by wisdom at every step. This wisdom is like the sword of Manjushri —a sharp, brilliant blade of insight that cuts through afflictions, illuminates the darkness, and shatters the obstacles created by demons.
At Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su demonstrates this wisdom in action. By utilising the to perform , Practitioner Su saves sentient beings and uses the twelve rays of Amitabha Buddha’s light to subdue demonic forces. These beings are then guided into the temple’s Western Land of Dharma Nature, where they receive the Buddha’s education and are nurtured by the Buddha-light. Even when faced with the fear and terror of these beings, or when enduring the physical attacks of those who cast spells to attack , Practitioner Su remains fearless. The work of saving beings from the cycle of rebirth continues without pause. This dedication to the Buddha’s work in the world is a profound blessing for all sentient beings. Namo Amituofo
