Keep Going, My Children

This discourse is recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on the eighteenth of March, two thousand and twenty-three.

The Unfolding Path of Cultivation

The path of cultivation is rarely a smooth journey, free from obstacles. Why is this so? It is because your goal is to attain the state of an awakened being, to save yourself, and to guide all beings toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. To achieve this, you must be willing to adjust and correct your own erroneous views and perceptions. Only by doing so can you remove impurities and attain purity, and find your way back to your true self.

Cleansing the Accumulated Dust of Lifetimes

Throughout your accumulated lifetimes, you have gathered karma that is as vast as the mountains and as deep as the oceans. You have become stained by countless habits of confusion, filth, and dust. To wash these away and achieve true purification, you must engage in diligent practice and put in the work. You must be prepared to face and overcome the various challenges that arise during your cultivation. This process requires the Buddha's blessings, as well as the guidance and companionship of a true spiritual friend who can point you toward the correct direction.

The Reality of Living with Karmic Creditors

You must truly put in the work within your own heart and make genuine improvements in your daily behaviour. By aligning your Body-Mind-Spirit, you can wash away the dust of the world and rediscover your true self. This is the very essence of the cultivation process. As you walk this path, you may currently be experiencing the manifestation of your past karma and the consequences of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness that have yet to be transformed. Perhaps you feel the suffering brought about by the natural processes of aging and illness. You may be struggling to find liberation from this suffering while living alongside your karmic creditors.

Embracing the Path to Awakening

Through the guidance and assistance of the Buddha or Bodhisattva and Practitioner Su, you are learning how to resolve these conflicts. Through the practices of inviting spirits and performing Chao Du, you are beginning to realise the truth: that you are not always in control of your own life. When you face the changes brought about by your Body-Mind-Spirit, you must learn to adapt, adjust, and accommodate. It is my hope that you will break through these barriers and allow your practice to move forward with renewed vigour.

Namo Amituofo, your teacher, and Practitioner Su are here to assist and bless you every step of the way. As long as you remain diligent, listen to the teachings, have faith in the Buddha, have faith in yourself, and possess the courage to correct your mistakes, everything will change. Keep going, my children!

Namo Amituofo