Learning to Become a Buddha
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
The Second Session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Australia, 2019
The Virtues of the Awakened Mind
How does one learn to become a Buddha? It is the cultivation and revelation of the vast, boundless qualities inherent in our true nature. When we embark on this path, we are not merely studying texts; we are refining our very existence. The essential qualities of this path include:
- Mind-capacity: Expanding our heart to embrace all beings with boundless love.
- : A deep, unwavering desire to help all beings leave suffering behind and find happiness.
- Wisdom: The clear, penetrating insight that sees the Truth of the universe.
- Gentleness: A soft, yielding nature that remains calm amidst the storms of life.
- Concentration: The ability to keep the mind focused and steady, free from the distractions of the world.
- Virtue and Ability: The manifestation of our innate, positive potential.
- Auspicious Characteristics: The physical and spiritual radiance that naturally arises from a pure heart.
The Natural Flow of Truth
All these virtues should arise naturally, like a flower blooming in the spring. There is no need for forced effort or artificial struggle. When you act in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, your practice becomes effortless. This is the true meaning of learning to become a Buddha. It is not about creating something new, but about returning to what is already within you. There is nothing that can be limited, and nothing that is truly born, yet from this void, all things manifest and all forms appear.
The Essence of the Path
The Pure Land path is not a mysterious or hidden doctrine. It is the direct, practical application of the Vows of Namo Amituofo. We must keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, practising with sincerity and diligence. When your practice is unobstructed, you will attain true freedom. You will find that you are acting without the sense of 'doing,' for this is the natural way of the enlightened. Within such practice, the Vows of Namo Amituofo are fulfilled.
The Manifestation of Buddhahood
When you reach this level of practice, you will find that the pores of your body open to the infinite light of the . You become entirely purified, free from the stains of the world. The light of your true nature shines without limit, and in that moment, the state of Buddhahood is realised. This is the ultimate goal of our practice: to return to the source, to shine with the light of Namo Amituofo, and to be a beacon of hope for all suffering beings. These teachings were recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library