The Achievement of Meditative Concentration

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on the fourteenth of November, 2021, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony.

The Trap of External Environments

How many disputes and conflicts arise in our lives simply because our hearts are swayed by the external environment? We often find ourselves caught in the cycle of right and wrong, joy and sorrow, because we allow the world around us to dictate our internal state. We must realise that our internal state, known as the Right Reward, is constantly being shaped and influenced by our external surroundings, the Dependent Reward. If we wish to make genuine progress in our practice, we must learn to break free from this cycle.

The Foundation of Stillness

To succeed in your practice, you must first establish a foundation of meditative concentration. This means your heart must not be moved by external conditions. When you are no longer disturbed by the world around you, your heart remains pure and undisturbed. Only then can you truly enter a state of deep peace and wisdom. Once you have achieved this stability, you gain the ability to transform your environment. Instead of your internal state being dictated by the world, your internal state begins to influence the world. This transformation is always conducted through the qualities of compassion, wisdom, mind-capacity, and tolerance.

The Continuous Stream of Namo Amituofo

What is Buddha-Recitation Samadhi? It is the state where the name of Namo Amituofo flows in a continuous, unbroken stream. You must ensure that nothing interrupts this sacred rhythm. You must reach a point where:

• No sight you witness can break the Buddha-name.
• No sound you hear can break the Buddha-name.
• No external environment can break the Buddha-name.

Chanting then becomes a continuous, flowing stream that never stops. You must practise this 24/7. The Buddha-name must resonate within your heart, your mouth, your ears, your body, and even within your head.

Achieving the State of Awakening

As this pure, continuous chanting persists, it performs a deep purification of your Body-Mind-Spirit. When your entire being is purified, you reach a state of pure goodness. At this point, your mind is no longer disturbed, and afflictions do not arise. This is the achievement of meditative concentration. By attaining this state, you enter the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi, which is the very moment of Awakening. Namo Amituofo.