Never Slacken: The Path of Diligent Practice

The Shadow of Unresolved Karma

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Before you reach the state of an awakened being, the weight of your karma follows you constantly. It is a persistent force that can manifest at any moment, often catching you unaware. You must understand that your karmic creditors are not merely external forces; they are the manifestations of your own past actions, waiting for the right conditions to arise.

Sometimes, your karmic creditors manifest in ways that seem as gentle and inviting as flowing water. They create situations that you find deeply attractive, leading to intense attachment. Because you are so enamoured with these worldly conditions, you find it impossible to "see through" and "let go" of your desires. You become trapped by your own preferences, unable to distance yourself from the very things that bind you to the cycle of rebirth.

At other times, these karmic creditors appear as fierce, starving beasts. They wait for the perfect moment to strike, capturing their target with such ferocity that there is no escape. This leads to profound suffering, and even the precious human body you possess becomes a vessel for the relentless pressure of your karma. When the body begins to age, when strength fades, and when the agony of illness or the fear of death takes hold, you may find yourself lost. In such moments, you may not know when you will ever have the chance to get a human body, hear the Buddha’s teachings again, or find the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to achieve liberation and attain Buddhahood.

The Necessity of Diligent Purification

This is why the work of spiritual practice and purification is so urgent. You must take active steps to resolve your conflicts with your karmic creditors through the practice of Chao Du. To truly progress, you must focus on the following essential tasks:

• Dissolve your karma: Work to clear the obstacles created by your past actions.
• Chant Namo Amituofo: Maintain a steady and sincere practice of Buddha-recitation.
• Change your ways: Actively correct your mistakes and transform your negative personality traits, the "self," personal ego, and selfishness.

You must never slacken in these efforts. You must learn to stop the cycle of karma. When old karma manifests, you must address it immediately. If you continue to create new karma through your thoughts, words, and deeds, when will your suffering ever come to an end? The cycle of retribution is long and arduous; only by stopping the creation of new causes can you hope to find peace and align yourself with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Freedom of Awakening

Once you reach the state of an awakened being, you will finally be able to take charge of your own life. Your body and mind will become pure, free from the stains of past attachments. The natural capabilities of your Six Roots will manifest, allowing you to perceive the truth of the universe with clarity and wisdom.

However, even after reaching this state, the work is not finished. The suffering of beings is boundless, and the task of saving them is endless. To save the world and guide all beings toward the Buddha’s path, you must continue your mission with unwavering dedication. Never slacken in your vow to save others, just as you never slackened in your own path to liberation. Namo Amituofo.