If Not Now, When? The Urgency of Practice

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Fragility of Life

My dear disciples, before you see your true nature, you exist within the cycle of impermanence and karma. Your life is finite and fragile. When your breath stops, you are instantly severed from this world, losing the precious opportunity to use this human body for True Cultivation. You must remain alert, recognising that life is always subject to the dangers of ageing, sickness, and the approach of death. Therefore, you must be diligent in your practice at every moment, in every second. Do not be careless or let your guard down. If you are a practitioner, you must ask yourself: if you do not advance your practice now, when will you? Do not wait until you no longer have this human body to look back and sigh in regret.

The Weight of Every Thought

Karma follows you wherever you go. In every thought and intention, you are either creating karma or accumulating sin. When you create negative causes, you will inevitably suffer the evil consequences, finding it difficult to take control of your own destiny. Before you fall into a state of drowsiness or lose yourself in the distractions of this space, you must maintain constant awareness. Do not allow your Body-Mind-Spirit to fall into a trap where you lose the ability to govern your own mind. To protect your Body-Mind-Spirit, the most wonderful method is to keep the Buddha-name in your heart 24/7. You must hold firmly to the Buddha-name and never underestimate its power of merit and majestic power. Its virtues are immeasurable. If you are active and persistent in your practice, you will surely succeed in your chanting.

The Precious Vessel of the Human Body

It is not easy to obtain a human body. To be able to enter the Buddha’s gate and engage in practice is a tremendous blessing. However, blessings are not infinite; they can be exhausted if you only consume them without replenishing them. Therefore, your practice must focus on the following:

• Purification: Removing the stains of impurity from your heart.
• Dual Cultivation: Simultaneously cultivating both blessings and wisdom.
• Accumulation: Diligently gathering merit and virtues.

Do not ignore the reality of impermanence. Once impermanence arrives, your life will cease. You must seize the present moment and remain active and persistent in your practice. If you do not advance now, when will you?

A Sanctuary for Awakening

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, where Namo Amituofo truly abides, you are constantly under the Buddha’s light and receive the Buddha's blessings at all times. The teachings from Namo Amituofo, the guidance from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and the lectures given by Practitioner Su are all here to help you make progress in your practice. You must strive to be diligent so that you may soon break through delusion and attain enlightenment, and see your true nature. If you do not advance now, when will you?

Namo Amituofo