Faith is the fundamental basis of all spiritual practice. You must believe that you are a Buddha and that you can attain Buddhahood; only with this conviction can you move forward step by step on the path of practice. When many people first begin to learn about the Buddha’s teachings, they often feel a surge of courageous energy. They recognise the profound value of the and resolve to either leave the home life to save beings or to cultivate themselves diligently as lay practitioners. However, true practice is not merely about having a momentary burst of courage. It requires the cultivation of a sustained heart—a long-term commitment that endures through time. It is this long-term heart that allows one to achieve true spiritual success.
The Source of All Good Roots
You must understand that faith is the source of the Way and the mother of all virtues. It is the catalyst that awakens and perfects all your good roots. If you use this faith to engage in diligent practice every single day, and if you maintain the vow to save all beings, you will certainly achieve your goal. Why was the of Faith in the written? The primary reason was the recognition that all beings are trapped in suffering. The goal is to help all beings leave suffering behind and find happiness—not just the temporary happiness of worldly fame and profit, but the ultimate, supreme of attaining Buddhahood.
The Foundation of Right View
To attain this ultimate joy, you must possess the correct knowledge and right views. Only when you have established these right views can you attain true awakening. This is the very foundation of becoming a Buddha. Once you have faith and have secured this foundation, you can walk the path of practice with confidence. No matter what obstacles, difficulties, or spiritual obstacles you encounter, you will know that you are ultimately destined for Buddhahood. Because of this, you will be able to overcome every setback and continue your diligent practice.
Observing the Mind
Diligent practice lies within your own thoughts—in every thought and intention that arises. That specific thought is something only you can clearly understand; it is not something others can perceive for you. What are you chanting? What are you thinking about? Are there traces of greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, or doubt? Whether a thought is unwholesome or virtuous is something you must observe for yourself. Diligent practice consists of observing your own thoughts and working hard to transform them, ensuring that unwholesome thoughts become fewer and fewer until they disappear entirely. By working on this every day, you will make your heart clearer and brighter, free from all defilements.
A Call to the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre
Do you truly believe that you are a Buddha? If so, are you following the actions of a Buddha? Only by aligning your conduct with the Buddha’s can you learn the Buddha’s way and attain Buddhahood. To all the virtuous ones in the Western Land of Dharma Nature, as you listen to the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su, I ask you: have you truly let go of everything? Have you examined your thoughts to ensure they are pure, kind, and free from selfishness, so that you may benefit all beings?
The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is a pure land in this world. It is only right that you should all participate in this great undertaking. Join in the work of saving the world, learn from the Buddha to become a Buddha, attain Buddhahood through Buddha recitation, and save all beings to attain Buddhahood. .
