Everything we perceive in this world, in all its vast complexity, is governed by the laws of and the causes and effects. This includes our very own physical bodies, which are merely the result of the four great elements—earth, water, fire, and air—coming together for a temporary existence. The Buddha’s teachings reveal this truth to us, not to cause despair, but to awaken us from our deep slumber. We are encouraged to stop clinging to this physical form as if it were permanent or truly ours. By learning to let go of the heart—releasing our desperate grip on —we can finally begin to use this life, this body, and this mind in a meaningful way. This is the beginning of what we call True Cultivation, a process through which we find our way back to our original, true self.
The Process of True Cultivation
Finding your true self is not an instantaneous event; it is a journey that requires a continuous process of removing impurities to attain purity. As you navigate through life, you will encounter various situations and conditions that trigger different states of mind. You must observe these mental states until you clearly recognise that all these external circumstances and relationships are illusory and not real. When you can truly let go of the heart, you will no longer be bound, controlled, or deceived by these illusory environments. You will no longer be pulled back into the cycle of reincarnation. By distancing yourself from the entanglements of this world and skilfully applying the teachings of the , you can practise purification even within this illusory realm. This is the essence of True Cultivation: using the false to realise the true.
The Power of the Holy Name
To succeed in this practice, one must understand the principles clearly and then diligently apply them in daily life. It is essential to have the guidance of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends by your side to correct your path. This support prevents you from being led astray by ego-attachment, subjective views, or personal biases. You must be honest and obedient in your practice, committing to chant all the way from the beginning to the end:
From the moment you have this breath, chant until your last breath.
From a state where you take everything personally—clinging to your own , , and mind—chant until you reach a state of , where those attachments dissolve.
From a state where you believe this body is your entire existence, chant until you realise this body is merely a temporary vessel, allowing you to let go of it to help others.
From a state of being filled with spiritual obstacles, chant until you enter a state where no other thoughts arise, only the Buddha-name, leaving no room for to manifest.
From a state of chanting where you are conscious of the act, chant until you reach the state of chanting without chanting, and not-chanting while chanting.
From a state of being trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, chant until you are transformed and ready to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
A Rare Opportunity for Deliverance
All of this is made possible only through the of Namo Amituofo. It is because of His that we have the Holy Name to chant, the opportunity to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the possibility of finally escaping the cycle of birth and death. However, in this modern age, people are burdened with heavy spiritual obstacles. To truly chant the name of the Buddha with such sincerity that you summon Namo Amituofo to guide the deceased to the Western Pure Land requires immense effort and dedicated practice.
Today, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Namo Amituofo is truly residing here. We have Practitioner Su, who possesses the ability to guide spirits to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a rare opportunity, difficult to encounter in millions of years. You should let go of your heart, seize this precious moment, and come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek the . Through diligent practice, resolving conflicts, dissolving karma, and participating in , your rebirth in the Western Pure Land is well within reach.
