No Matter What: The Eternal Path to Awakening

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

December 8, 2023

Namo Amituofo’s discourse:

The Unrelenting Flow of Time

Time waits for no one. No matter how fervently you may plead for it to pause or return, time will never turn back. The past is gone, and it is impossible to return to what has already transpired. We must recognise that our lives are governed by the seeds we have sown in the past. These seeds will inevitably bear fruit when the conditions are ripe:

• Good causes
• will bring forth good fruit when the conditions are mature.Negative causes
• will bring forth evil consequences when the conditions are mature.Pure causes will bring forth pure fruit when the conditions are mature.

A pure cause is established when you spontaneously cultivate a sincere heart, a truthful heart, and a heart that is focused entirely on chanting Namo Amituofo. The merit and the majestic power generated by this chanting are the very fruits that the practitioner will receive. Whether you experience these benefits immediately or in the future depends entirely on the sincerity, truthfulness, and single-mindedness of your practice. Therefore, you must be diligent and cherish the present moment, for it is the only time you truly possess.

Finding a Home for the Heart

If your heart is restless and your mind is filled with turbulent waves, you may feel lost, helpless, or overwhelmed by sorrow. However, these states of mind belong to the past. No matter what has happened, you have only one life to live. By taking refuge in Namo Amituofo and sincerely chanting the holy name, you can ensure that you do not fall back into that state of confusion and helplessness. Do not let your heart remain trapped in endless sorrow; instead, give your heart a place to truly belong.

While you possess this physical body, you should settle your mind in the work of helping and saving other beings. By dedicating your life to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are not only helping others but also helping yourself. You are saving the many beings that reside within your own body, for you are a being, and they are beings as well. When your life in this world comes to an end, you will be prepared to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Sanctuary of the Buddha-Land

If your body is currently suffering from illness or pain, and if your karmic creditors are burdened by their own suffering that seems impossible to resolve, you must remember that you are currently in a place where Namo Amituofo truly abides. No matter what the circumstances, there is a solution for both you and those who seek retribution. You must let go of your personality and your habitual tendencies, for these only serve to harm yourself and those around you.

To the spirits and beings attached to our bodies: no matter what, even when the fourfold assembly (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen) struggles to change their own personalities and bad habits, I ask that you also seek your own salvation. The suffering you experience is profound, but here at the temple, with the presence of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, your suffering can be resolved, and your wishes can be fulfilled.

A Call to Self-Rescue

If you insist on seeking revenge against the fourfold assembly (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen), you will only continue to suffer yourself. If the disciples are hindered by your actions and cannot perform the work of generating blessings and merit to dedicate to you, or if they suffer and their lives are cut short, then you will not receive the blessings and merit you seek. Instead, you will continue to cycle through the suffering of reincarnated life. Why would you choose to inflict such suffering upon yourself?

If you are a wise person, you will treat yourself with kindness. Because you are now at the temple, you have a rare opportunity:

• During the Dharma assembly, when we chant to perform Chao Du, you should quickly leave the body and enter the Buddha-light.Whenever we invite spirits to the temple, you should take the opportunity to leave the body and enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

This is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. I hope that all my children, all karmic creditors, all attached spirits, and even the demon crowds can understand this truth. Change your mindset, and act accordingly. Namo Amituofo.