Swiftly Reaching the Ultimate Shore of Bodhi

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Bodhi signifies the state of Buddhahood and complete awakening. The Ultimate Shore refers to the shore of Nirvana, the final destination of our spiritual journey. When we speak of swiftly reaching the ultimate shore of Bodhi, we are referring to the profound vow of Dharmakara Bhikshu. Because he perceived the immense suffering of all beings, he made a great vow to reach the shore of perfect, supreme awakening as quickly as possible. This was his vow to attain Buddhahood, for only through the attainment of Buddhahood can the infinite suffering of all sentient beings be truly brought to an end.

The Compassionate Vow to Liberate All Beings

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas offer different methods of salvation based on the potential and capacity of each individual. Those who possess the necessary wisdom are able to teach and guide their disciples to reach the shore of Bodhi swiftly. In the past, Lokesvararaja Buddha understood the depth of the vow made by Dharmakara Bhikshu. By observing his potential, Lokesvararaja Buddha assisted him in establishing the Forty-eight Great Vows. Through every step of his practice and every action taken in accordance with these vows, he successfully established the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Path of Diligent Practice

To help all beings reach the ultimate shore of Bodhi, there are essential practices that one must undertake with sincerity and persistence. These include:

• Practising the Ten Good Deeds to purify our actions and intentions.
• Maintaining a daily practice with active and persistent effort.
• Studying and practising the Three Studies of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom.
• Extensively practising the Six Paramitas to cultivate the virtues of a Bodhisattva.
• Following the core instruction to "arouse the Bodhi mind and single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo."

These methods are the foundational tools provided to help the masses navigate the cycle of rebirth and arrive at the ultimate shore.

A Sanctuary for the True Dharma

Today, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, serves as the place where Namo Amituofo truly abides. Under the guidance and teachings of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, the fourfold assembly of disciples works tirelessly to refine their practice. Step by step, they strive to remove defilements and attain purity. By washing away the dust and fatigue of the world, they attain a state of inner clarity and peace, with the singular goal of reaching the ultimate shore of Bodhi.

The Sacred Duty of Universal Deliverance

Everything we do is for the purpose of saving the beings who are suffering in the cycle of rebirth. We must realise that we are also part of this cycle. This includes the beings within our bodies, who are the first to be saved. Only when the beings within our bodies are successfully delivered can we ourselves have the opportunity to receive salvation. We must work diligently to ensure that all beings, both within and without, are guided toward the light of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo