Counseling the World: A Discourse from Namo Amituofo
Teachings Received by Disciple Shi Faxi
July 2, 2017
The Purity of the Buddha-land
Disciple Shi Faxi: I respectfully invite the of the Buddha to provide us with teachings.
Namo Amituofo's discourse: The Buddha-land is a realm of absolute purity and supreme dignity. To descend into this world is to enter a vessel of the , guided by the Buddha himself. This realm is far removed from the mundane, secular world, where only the truth exists and where one focuses solely on the path of cultivation. One must learn to let go of worldly attachments, for the world is filled with illusions that cloud our original nature. We must cultivate a heart that is cool, calm, and at ease, following the teachings to release all that binds us to the cycle of rebirth.
It is rare to encounter the Buddha's teachings, even after hundreds of kalpas of wandering through the cycle of rebirth. Yet, in this present age, we are constantly beset by the distracting sounds of the world and the heavy weight of our own spiritual obstacles. These disturbances create confusion and hinder our practice. When we encounter these challenges, we must ask ourselves: are we truly following the guidance of the Buddha, or are we being led astray by the illusions of the world?
Navigating the Shadows of the Dharma-Ending Age
In this Dharma-Ending Age, the path is fraught with difficulties. Many monastics and practitioners have lost their way, relying on worldly emotions and false appearances rather than the true Dharma. The Buddha’s path is a path of rescue, a lifeline for those drowning in the sea of suffering. It is the duty of the to protect this path and uphold the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre stands as a true mark of the Buddha’s presence in this world. However, the true Dharma is rare and fragile, often obscured by the lack of virtue in the world. Virtue must be cultivated from within; without it, one is lost in the void, eventually sinking into lower realms. True practice is the cultivation of virtue. If one lacks virtue, it is because the heart is not yet upright or true, and the vows made are merely empty words.
The Erosion of the Sacred Path
When practice is empty, the world suffers. We see the decline of the Dharma not because the teachings themselves have faded, but because the human heart has turned away from the truth. There are eighty-four thousand Dharma doors, each suited to different affinities, yet the core of all practice remains the same: the purification of the heart. When the state of the Sangha declines, when monastics lose their dignity and focus on worldly gain, the light of the Dharma dims. When those who should lead the way instead seek only their own comfort, wealth, or fame, they lose their connection to the and ultimately destroy their own wisdom-life.
- The Trap of Wealth:
- Some monastics accumulate the wealth of the ten directions, yet they cannot truly consume it, and this attachment eventually destroys their soul and .The Trap of Fame:
- Many seek applause and high positions, losing sight of the true purpose of practice.The Trap of Arrogance: A competitive spirit, the desire to be better than others, and the refusal to follow the flow of the Dharma are all obstacles that prevent one from reaching .
Awakening to the Wisdom of Prajna
The mysteries of the cycle of rebirth are profound, and the logic of the Dharma is often difficult for the ordinary mind to grasp. It is not something that can be understood through mere intellectual cleverness; it requires the wisdom of Prajna. There is a vast difference between worldly knowledge and the Buddha’s teachings. If one clings to one's own opinions, or if one is driven by a competitive nature, one will only ever touch the surface of the Dharma. One may recite the sutras, but if the heart is not in sync with the teachings, one will gain no benefit.
How can we see the benefits of the Dharma? We must be willing to change ourselves truly. We must stop being blind followers who repeat the same patterns for centuries without ever reaching a higher state of being. We must fill our hearts with the love of the Dharma, but we must also realise that the heart is an infinite vessel that can never be filled by worldly things. We must be honest and sincere in our chanting. To chant Namo Amituofo all the way is to be truly honest with oneself.
A Call to Protect the Dharma
The Dharma path is in urgent need of sincere, dedicated individuals who will help turn the wheel of the Dharma. We must extinguish the fires of desire—the greed, the anger, the ignorance, and the improper cravings that exist even within the monastic community. These things do not go unnoticed; the Buddha and the Dharma protectors see all. The karmic consequences of our actions follow us everywhere, and what we often mistake for fate is, in truth, the manifestation of our own .
It is my hope that all beings can see the truth clearly. Let us turn the flow of our lives back toward the path of the Buddha. Let us heal the damage done in this world and work together to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library