Overcoming Obstacles and Moving Forward

The Dual Power of Practice

At Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary, you are fortunate to have the guidance of the Buddha and the assistance of Practitioner Su to help reduce the obstacles you face in your practice. However, we must remain mindful that we live in a defiled and evil world of suffering. In this age of the Dharma’s decline, difficulties are constant and inevitable. To truly overcome the various internal and external interferences, you must rely on the support of two powerful forces working in unison:

• Self-power: Your own sincere commitment to practice and your willingness to face your challenges.
• Buddha's power: The compassionate blessing and support provided by Namo Amituofo, the Buddha, and Practitioner Su.

Navigating External Obstacles

External obstacles refer to the challenges that arise outside of your own body. Often, these are linked to Collective Karma—the shared karmic consequences that affect not just one individual, but a group of beings. When such a situation arises, if even one person within that group is willing to step forward with a sincere vow to face, overcome, and resolve the problem, a significant change can occur. If that person is you, the practitioner, you create a vital point of leverage. Because you have taken this step, the Buddha and Practitioner Su can then provide the necessary assistance to help you.

Consequently, the shared karma of the group—and especially the individual portion of karma that you carry—gains a turning point. This means that the external obstacles surrounding you can be alleviated or even completely removed. This is the grace of having a point of contact through which the Buddha’s compassion can flow.

Addressing Internal Obstacles

Internal obstacles are those that touch upon the fluctuations of the mind. These are deeply personal and include:

• Your own accumulated karma from past lives.
• The influence of karmic creditors who seek balance for past harms.
• The presence of attached spirits residing within your field.
• The interference of demon crowds that seek to distract you from the right path.

To resolve these internal issues, you must again manifest the strength of your own vow. You must be willing to face these challenges directly. While the Buddha and Practitioner Su can guide you on how to confront and overcome these forces, the actual work of changing your ways—addressing your habits, the "self," personal ego, and selfishness—must come from you. Under the dual power of the Pure Land path, your own heart and actions must be clearly aligned with the truth before the Buddha’s power can fully take effect. Whether the task seems simple or difficult, it must be resolved through a sincere vow and actual, consistent practice. This is what it means to manifest self-power and receive the Buddha's blessing.

The Path to Awakening

Once these internal and external obstacles are lightened and you are helped to face and overcome your problems, you will be able to continue your journey forward. It is a shared blessing for all of us that we have the opportunity to encounter the Buddha and Practitioner Su in this lifetime. This includes all beings who are currently able to receive their help, and you are one of these beings.

Whether your problems are resolved in the shortest possible time depends entirely on whether you, as a student of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, possess a true vow and the willingness to put it into action. You must face your problems head-on and work to resolve them. It is a great fortune to be a student here and to receive such guidance. To break through and advance on the path, you must be diligent in your practice. Through active and persistent purification—becoming purer and more virtuous with every passing moment—you will eventually reach a state of absolute purity and goodness. Only then will you have the opportunity to see your true self and realize your Buddha-nature.

Namo Amituofo