To all members of the fourfold assembly, when you embark upon the path of practice, you should aspire to be like the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the great ancestral masters. Your heart should embody , , and Selfless Giving. Your mind should be as vast as the empty sky, and your capacity for understanding should encompass the entire universe. To achieve this, you must learn to see through and let go of your attachments.
The Six Perfections as a Foundation
To perfect your practice, you must fully cultivate the Six Perfections. These are the essential steps that guide a practitioner toward liberation:
Generosity (Giving): Practise the three types of giving—giving wealth, giving the , and giving fearlessness to those in need.
Discipline (): Maintain strict adherence to the precepts. Understand that these rules are vital for the health of your body and the success of your spiritual progress. Practise self-discipline and maintain clear personal boundaries.
Patience (Endurance): Cultivate the endurance to remain calm. When you witness the foolish actions of others, feel compassion for their ignorance rather than allowing anger to arise within your heart.
Diligent Practice: Be fiercely diligent and never slacken in your efforts. Through consistent practice, you will eventually reach and realise your true nature, which is the path to Buddhahood.
Meditation (Concentration): Diligently cultivate Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom. By holding the precepts, you will attain deep concentration, which in turn gives rise to true wisdom.
Wisdom (Prajna): Allow your innate wisdom to manifest. When the clouds of confusion are cleared, the light of Prajna wisdom will shine forth naturally.
The for Rebirth
To ensure your rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss, you must rely on the Three Provisions:
Faith: Have absolute faith in the Buddha and faith in your own potential. Respect your teachers and value the Dharma.
Vows: Align your heart with the Forty-eight Great Vows of . Your primary vow must be to save countless suffering beings and to succeed in your own spiritual practice.
Practice: Act upon your vows by relying on both your own efforts and the compassionate power of Namo Amituofo.
The Four Virtues of the Xian Shou
As you walk this path, embody the Four Virtues of the Xian Shou to guide your conduct:
Skillful Application: Learn to adapt to conditions with ease and freedom, using every situation as an opportunity for growth.
Exemplary Conduct: Let your demeanour, your virtuous spirit, and your actions serve as a model for those who follow. Be a beacon that inspires future generations.
Gentleness and Honesty: Practise the state of . Be selfless, gentle, and humble. Never allow yourself to become arrogant or self-satisfied.
Bearing the Suffering of Others: In your mission to save beings, do not fear hardship. Do not count the cost to your own body or the suffering you may endure for the sake of others.
Purification and the Final Goal
You must work to break the : Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. Simultaneously, you must transcend the : Wealth, Sexual Pleasure, Fame, Food, and Sleep. Cultivate a life of few desires or no desires at all. Do not let your heart be swayed by emotional attachments or the pursuit of worldly fame and comfort. Do not crave food or excessive sleep. When you have what you need, be satisfied and grateful, rather than suffering through the pain of forced acquisition.
Through the constant process of changing your ways, correcting your personality traits, and removing defilements and attaining purity, you will attain purity. As you continue this purification, your body and mind will become clear and unobstructed, and your practice will advance steadily. Make the firm vow to chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Practise with a sincere heart until you achieve the state of and attain the wisdom. For those who are elderly or ill, I counsel you to let go of all worldly concerns, focus your mind entirely on chanting Namo Amituofo, and seek rebirth in the Pure Land. Dedicate your life to the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings, teaching and transforming beings, and offering yourself to the preservation and transmission of the Dharma.
