My dear students of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, the environment you find yourselves in is truly magnificent and rare to encounter in this world. Here, the presence of , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su are gathered together in this sacred Buddha-land. We have come together for a singular purpose: to teach you how to practise, and how to face and resolve the various difficulties and situations that inevitably arise on your spiritual journey. Our goal is to ensure that the fourfold assembly can understand the principles clearly and gain true insight into the nature of reality.
The Vital Balance of and
However, you must understand that the Buddha can only truly help you when you engage in genuine practice and maintain the recitation of the Buddha's name within your every action. If you only wish to rely on the Buddha without initiating your own effort, or if you fail to put these teachings into practice, the assistance the Buddha can provide will be limited, or perhaps even impossible to offer. This is why you must realise the vital importance of self-power in your practice. Within this self-power, you must cultivate your own heart and vows. You must think of Namo Amituofo, yearn for Namo Amituofo, and chant the name of Namo Amituofo with sincerity. By doing so, the Buddha can assist you in reducing your delusions, messy thoughts, discriminations, and attachments. The Buddha can help you sever your afflictions and even eradicate your confusion. Yet, this requires that you, my children, truly believe in the Buddha, keep the Buddha in your thoughts, chant the Buddha's name, and be willing to be saved by the Buddha. Only then can the Buddha truly help you.
When the Heart is Truly in Sync
If you prostrate to the Buddha with your body but your heart does not contain the Buddha, the the Buddha can provide are limited. However, if you prostrate with your body while your heart is filled with the Buddha, and your actions are sincere and true, then the Buddha can truly help you. If you chant the name of the Buddha with your mouth, but your heart is empty of the Buddha, even if you chant thousands or tens of thousands of times, it remains an empty recitation. How could such a practice be in sync with the Buddha? In such a state, the Buddha cannot help you. But if you have the Buddha in your heart, your practice will be transformed. This means embodying the qualities of the Buddha-heart: , goodness, inclusivity, mind-capacity, , and generosity, and even reaching a state of selflessness where your every thought and mental note is dedicated entirely to the benefit of all beings. When you chant the Buddha's name in this state, the Buddha can truly help you.
Living the Vows of the Buddha
If you carry the Buddha within your actions, you will naturally integrate the Six Paramitas into your daily life while continuing to chant the Buddha's name: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligent Practice, Meditation, and Wisdom. Furthermore, if you carry the Buddha within your vows, you will align yourself with the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo. When every one of your vows is made for the sake of helping all beings leave suffering behind and find happiness, while you continue to chant the Buddha's name, the Buddha can truly help you. My children, do not forget the Buddha. Believe in the Buddha, make your vows like the Buddha's, and please follow closely in the footsteps of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su. Only then can the Buddha truly help you. Namo Amituofo.
