The concept of leading by example is profound. It means that one uses both their own actions and their spoken words as a standard, providing a clear and reliable model for those who follow or for others to learn from. In the context of spiritual practice, this is the most effective way to guide others toward the truth.
Throughout the history of the , all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and ancestral masters have demonstrated this principle. From the moment they first awakened their Bodhicitta until they achieved the fruits of their diligent practice, their every action has served as a beacon. By manifesting the results of their own cultivation, they provide a living map for those who come after them, showing us exactly how to walk the path to liberation.
The Shared Goal of the
Within every school of the Buddha’s teachings, there are experienced practitioners who serve as our guides. By following their instructions and putting the teachings into practice, we can develop the capacity to save ourselves and, in turn, save others. This is the ultimate goal for every practitioner of the Great Vehicle: to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood.
To understand what it truly means to lead by example, we need only look at the journey of . After encountering Lokesvararaja Buddha, Namo Amituofo began his own path of practice: he renounced his home and abandoned all worldly desires; he witnessed the profound suffering of all beings; he made the Forty-eight Great Vows, and he has ensured that every single one of them is fulfilled; he created the of Ultimate Bliss, a realm of perfect dignity and purity; he established the conditions for beings of all levels to be reborn in that Pure Land; he demonstrated the process by which Bodhisattvas enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss; and he taught the vital importance of upholding the Five , the Ten Good Deeds, and the Six Perfections, even while living in a defiled and evil world of suffering.
The Infinite Life Sutra as Our Guide
All of these processes and conditions are collected within the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Sutra). Because of this, the sutra is not merely a text; it is the actual embodiment of Namo Amituofo’s teachings, delivered through his own life and words to save all boundless suffering sentient beings. It serves as the primary guide for all who practise the Pure Land path, showing us exactly how to hold onto the Buddha’s name and how to direct our practice.
The Living Example at Hsiang Kuang
Today, Namo Amituofo, in his capacity as the teaching master of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Here, Practitioner Su leads by example, demonstrating the process of realising one's true nature and showing us how to save beings even after that realisation has been attained.
Practitioner Su takes the Buddha-heart, the Buddha-vows, and the Buddha-actions as his primary guide. He embodies the following qualities: he takes upon himself the suffering of all beings; he uses the power of the to perform and invite spirits to resolve their conflicts; and he works tirelessly to save all boundless suffering sentient beings and the demon crowds, all while receiving the constant of Namo Amituofo.
Through this work, countless beings have already been saved and have entered the Western Land of Dharma Nature. Practitioner Su has attained the ability to freely travel to and from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Throughout his journey, the various manifestations of his true nature’s capabilities, as well as his current lectures and his guidance of the fourfold assembly, all serve as a living example. His conduct in practice and his dedication to saving beings are a perfect model, worthy of being followed by all disciples and future practitioners.
