Skillfully Using the Heart: Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
Recorded on February 14, 2019
The Discipline of the Practitioner
On the fourteenth of February, 2019, we received these profound teachings. Great Master Zhiyi once instructed that those who are truly committed to the path of practice must maintain a serious and disciplined state of mind in every daily action, every word spoken, and every thought that arises. One must guide oneself with absolute integrity and strict adherence to the Right Way.
To maintain this purity of practice, one should adopt the following principles:
- Do not speak unless your words are of benefit to all beings.
- Do not perform any action unless it serves the welfare of all beings.
- Do not harbour any thought unless it is rooted in the intention to benefit all beings.
The Wisdom of
There is a saying that Bodhisattvas fear the cause, while ordinary beings fear the result. The Buddha’s teachings explain the laws of karma and cause and effect, while simultaneously emphasising the importance of . We must understand that beings are currently suffering, trapped by the and , and ensnared by emotional entanglements and attachments to family and loved ones.
Every affliction we experience arises because of selfishness and the desire for personal gain or fear of loss. We do not know how to stop these wandering thoughts, nor do we know how to let go of the people, events, and objects to which we are emotionally attached. Because of this, we remain anxious and troubled, unable to understand that we are the architects of our own suffering through the laws of karma and cause and effect.
The Mission of Compassion
When we observe a true practitioner, we see someone who understands the nature of reality. They have made a sincere vow to benefit all beings. They skillfully use their heart and mind, ensuring that every vow they make is dedicated to the welfare of all beings. They pray that all beings may leave suffering behind and find happiness, that their wisdom may grow, and they even take upon themselves the suffering of others. They understand the worries of beings and provide talks to resolve their afflictions.
Through the Buddha’s teachings, the truth is revealed. Practitioner Su delivers these teachings, and each being understands them according to their own capacity. The sound of the Dharma spreads without boundaries. The Dharma protectors and the heavenly beings gather to support the bodhimanda. The Ten Kings of Hell sit on either side, and the ghost messengers stand in respectful silence. In the Western Land of Dharma Nature, there is great . Through these teachings, beings break through delusion and attain , resolving their doubts as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas rejoice.
The Gathering at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre
The great Bodhisattvas and virtuous ones from the Western Land of Dharma Nature have come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to hear the teachings of Practitioner Su. They have arrived specifically to listen to sutras and hear the Dharma. The power of the Dharma is boundless, and all spirits present are filled with joy as they listen to the truth. This is the work of saving endless suffering beings, a mission that never ceases.
Namo Amituofo
More from Teachings of Aśvaghoṣa Bodhisattva
The Endless Compassion of the Buddha: An Interview with Bodhisattva Asvaghosa
Bodhisattva Asvaghosa shares his profound insights on the salvation work conducted by Practitioner Su and the salvation team during the global pandemic, revealing the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo.
Bodhisattva Asvaghosa’s Teachings in the Dharma-Nature Land
Within the Western Dharma-Nature Land, Bodhisattva Asvaghosa manifests in infinite forms to guide beings toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, demonstrating the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo and the saving power of Practitioner Su.
Exhaustion, Suffering, and Freedom: Teachings from Bodhisattva Asvaghosa
Bodhisattva Asvaghosa shares profound insights on the origins of human exhaustion and suffering, and how we can transcend these through the practice of Namo Amituofo and the cultivation of Precepts (Discipline), Concentration, and Wisdom.
A New Phase: Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
A new phase brings a new atmosphere. After a period of deep cultivation and seclusion, the time has come to step forward and serve all beings. Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha shares profound insights on the necessity of the Three Learnings of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom, and the vital mission of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in saving infinite suffering beings.
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library