Breaking Through the Obstacles of Practice

My dear children, do you possess a sincere and unwavering vow to break through your current situation? You must understand that having a vow is the very source of your strength; without such a vow, you will find yourself powerless in the face of your challenges.

The Vital Necessity of a Sincere Vow

How long have you been tormented by feelings of lethargy, drowsiness, and the tendency to drift into other spaces during your practice? You have endured these states for far too long, yet you have seen little to no improvement. You must ask yourselves why this is the case. While the Buddha and Practitioner Su can certainly provide guidance and support, their ability to help you is ultimately limited by the laws of karma and cause and effect. If you wish to change your situation from the root, you must rely on your own genuine, heartfelt desire to improve. Only when you are truly willing to change can the power required for a breakthrough be manifested.

The Root of Your Spiritual Struggles

If you cannot summon this desire for improvement from the depths of your heart, you are, in effect, silently accepting these states of confusion. If you lack the vow and the heart to change, it will be nearly impossible to break through. You must realise that your current state is a reflection of your own internal condition. To overcome these obstacles, you must take responsibility for your own spiritual journey.

The Path to Breaking Through

Break through! You must commit yourself to diligent practice. To overcome the states of drowsiness and the tendency to enter other spaces, you should focus your attention on the following:

• Diligent Chanting: Focus your entire mind on every single character and every syllable of the Buddha-name, Namo Amituofo.
• Mindful Prostration: When you perform prostrations, ensure that every movement and every recitation of the Buddha-name is clear and distinct.
• Constant Vigilance: If you find your spirit scattering and you fail to grasp the Buddha-name, you will immediately fall into drowsiness or drift into other spaces. You must be extremely cautious and alert.

If you can maintain this level of awareness, you will be able to catch yourself the moment your mind wanders. By immediately returning your focus to the Buddha-name, you can significantly reduce or even entirely avoid these states of confusion. If you truly wish to break through, you must apply your heart and mind with absolute sincerity.

The True Spirit of Hsiang Kuang

At Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary, the nature of your practice determines your results. If you practise with a scattered or distracted mind, or if you act only for your own personal gain, you will achieve nothing. However, if you practise with a focused, single-minded intent, and if you work selflessly for the benefit of all beings, you will surely make progress. Everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect, and in this, the truth is always clear and manifest. Namo Amituofo.