Concrete Actions for Never Retreating on the Path

The Eternal Vow of Unwavering Devotion

Namo Amituofo teaches that the six-character name, Namo Amituofo, must be held firmly without retreat. From the initial aspiration to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and even to the realisation of one's true nature and the attainment of Buddhahood, the vow and practice of saving beings must never falter.

How does one maintain this path? Diligent practice requires focusing on three primary pillars that serve as the foundation for all Pure Land practitioners: prostrations to humble the ego and cultivate respect; chanting Namo Amituofo to maintain a focused and pure heart; and reciting the Sutras to deepen one's understanding of the Truth.

The Foundation of a Steadfast Journey

These three practices are the foundation of your journey. Just as a building requires a solid foundation to stand tall and withstand any challenge, these daily lessons ensure that you can navigate life's trials and tests with a calm and steady heart. When your foundation is secure, you will remain stable and upright regardless of the difficulties you encounter.

The path to Buddhahood in the Great Vehicle is not merely about one's own liberation. It is about wishing for the liberation of all beings. It involves dedicating oneself to helping others attain Buddhahood alongside the Buddha. Whether for your own achievement or the achievement of others, the foundation lies in the Three Learnings: Precepts (Discipline), Concentration, and Wisdom.

The Perfection of the Six Paramitas

The Six Paramitas are the path to perfection. While people often explain these through written texts, they are inherently contained within the Three Learnings: Generosity, Discipline (Precepts), Patience (Endurance), Diligent Practice, Meditation (Concentration), and Wisdom (Prajna).

Discipline is the starting point of learning the Buddha's path. Through it, one attains meditative concentration, and eventually, wisdom is revealed. This leads to the realisation of one's true nature and the attainment of Buddhahood. Realising one's true nature is the perfection of the Six Paramitas; in essence, the Six Paramitas are the detailed study required to reach that state of awakening.

The Magnificence of Honest Chanting

In truth, honest chanting—holding the Buddha-name from the initial aspiration until the attainment of Buddhahood—already encompasses all the Six Paramitas. This is the magnificence of the practice. To chant honestly, one must begin from the heart and mouth. You should visualise the Buddha-name flowing through your entire body, reaching every organ down to the soles of your feet. Let every character and every phrase be continuous and dense, without interruption. This is the key to chanting.

This practice is also essential for saving beings and guiding them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Therefore, achieving mastery in chanting is a mandatory condition for the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I invite all of you to put in the work and chant diligently. This is the concrete action of ensuring your vow to save beings never retreats.

Namo Amituofo