Day After Day: A Reflection on Our Spiritual Journey

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

24 September 2023

Words of Namo Amituofo:

The Fleeting Nature of Time

Day after day, time flows like a river. As you walk the path of practice, have you truly made progress? The days pass in a blur, and the length of your life is gradually shrinking. How long will Namo Amituofo remain in this world? This depends entirely on whether sentient beings truly wish to keep the Buddha here. If you do not cherish the presence of the Buddha, how can you expect to remain on the path to liberation?

The Endless Cycle of Samsara

Day after day, the mountains and waters remain as they have always been, yet the human heart remains unchanged. Sentient beings continue to wander through the cycle of rebirth, turning endlessly within the six realms of existence without a moment of rest. In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, Namo Amituofo never ceases to teach the Dharma. The Forty-eight Great Vows are fulfilled in every moment, specifically designed to save infinite beings from their plight.

Yet, those of us in this Saha world, while we may chant the name of Namo Amituofo, find it difficult to let go of our deep-seated emotions. Because of this attachment, we repeatedly miss our chance to reach the Western Pure Land. Why must you wait for another life to seek the Pure Land? Why must you suffer through endless hardships and the grinding pain of existence before you finally decide to let go of your emotions and wholeheartedly chant Namo Amituofo?

The Compassionate Path of Practitioner Su

Day after day, Practitioner Su remains steadfast, his energy renewed with each passing day. This vitality comes from chanting Namo Amituofo in every thought, maintaining a heart that is firm, resolute, and unified with the Buddha. He performs Chao Du for sentient beings at all times, helping countless souls leave suffering behind and find true happiness. Although he has lived for eighty years, his body remains as vigorous and capable as a man of forty.

The suffering of this world is vast and difficult to exhaust. The number of suffering spirits that enter his vision is uncountable. His profound compassion for these beings and his dedication to saving them is his path to Buddhahood. This is what it means to walk the Buddha's path in the human world.

A Ray of Hope at Hsiang Kuang

Day after day, at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su continues his lectures on the Dharma without interruption. Sentient beings from this world and beyond—including the Four Sages, celestial beings, and even the guards of the hells—come in numbers too vast to count to hear the teachings. Spirits without bodies and lonely souls kneel respectfully to listen, often weeping with tears of regret.

They lament that while they had a physical body, they never heard this supreme Dharma, which led to their endless suffering. Now, as spirits without bodies, they can only rely on Chao Du to find their way. Fortunately, through the grace of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su at Hsiang Kuang, a ray of hope for rebirth in the Western Pure Land has finally appeared. These spirits are filled with immense gratitude.

And you, the students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, as you listen to the Dharma daily, have you received the benefits of the Dharma? Has your practice progressed? Do you have the firm confidence to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land? Namo Amituofo.