As we enter a new year, it serves as a profound milestone for the heart of every practitioner. The vows we have made and the strength we cultivate in our practice do not change simply because time passes or our location shifts. The steady, unwavering footsteps of a true practitioner will not falter, regardless of the external obstacles that may arise. Most importantly, our faith in remains as solid as a rock, never to be shaken.
This is the vision that Skanda sees when he observes Practitioner Su. For over two or three decades, Practitioner Su has laboured in the path with tireless dedication. From the very beginning until this present moment, there has been nothing but constant cultivation and selfless giving. There is not a single trace of a desire for reward or recognition. This is the true essence of and selflessness. While such a state is difficult for ordinary people in this world to achieve, for Practitioner Su, it is a constant reality. Every minute, every second, and every moment is lived in this state of purity. This is the precious quality of one who has realised their true nature.
Guiding the Fourfold Assembly
The fourfold assembly of disciples at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is fortunate to be under the constant care, guidance, and leadership of Practitioner Su. Whether it is in their physical actions, their speech, or even the subtle movements of their thoughts, if there is any deviation from the righteous path, Practitioner Su provides immediate correction. This is the most practical form of teaching, tailored precisely to the time, the place, and the specific circumstances of the individual.
Those who receive such timely guidance are truly blessed. If one can let go of their ego-attachment and personal views, and if one can accept this instruction with a humble heart and change their ways immediately, they will surely reap the greatest benefits. Within this bodhimanda, the fourfold assembly possesses different levels of aptitude and capability. To harmonise such a diverse group, to help each individual restrain their attitudes, and to address the deep-seated habits and the personal ego and selfishness that have yet to be transformed, is a task of immense difficulty. Yet, it is done with the wisdom to prescribe the right medicine for every condition.
A Rare Opportunity in the Age of Decline
To open one's eyes and clearly see the various states of the Realm is an essential ability for one who wishes to teach and save beings. To possess divine sight and hearing is a vital condition for saving the world and helping beings leave suffering behind. This is even more true for one who has realised their true nature and possesses the perfect clarity of the five eyes. To encounter such a practitioner is a magnificent Dharma affinity, and words alone cannot fully describe the benefits of such an encounter.
Furthermore, to encounter a bodhimanda where Namo Amituofo is residing here, to hear the Buddha’s words every day, and to have Practitioner Su explain the scriptures of the Pure Land, is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. Those who truly understand the Buddha’s teachings and can believe in the words of Skanda Bodhisattva will realise that this place is like the time when Shakyamuni Buddha was present in the world during the era of the True Teachings. Although we are currently in the age of the Dharma’s decline, Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre exists as a period where the Buddha is present in the world. It is a rare gem of Buddhism, yet it is a tragedy that it is often rejected by those who are limited in their perspective and unable to see the full picture.
A Beacon of Light for All Beings
Skanda Bodhisattva believes that one day, those with great fortune and clear eyes will discover that this place is a treasure within the Dharma. They will come to cherish it, promote Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to the wider public, and allow all beings connected by karmic affinity to be nurtured by the Buddha’s teachings. In doing so, they will receive the benefits of the Dharma, allowing the true light of Namo Amituofo to shine throughout the universe. They will spread the message of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss across the Dharma Realm, enabling all beings to know of this path, to make the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, to leave suffering behind, and to attain ultimate liberation.
Namo Amituofo.
This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
