In the practice of the path, one must not seek external connections or chase after the fleeting phenomena of the world. The most essential lesson for any practitioner is to restrain and turn one's attention toward self-reflection and inner observation. This is the foundation upon which all spiritual progress is built.
We must learn to govern our senses, for they are the gateways through which we often lose our focus and create unnecessary . Consider how we must discipline each of these roots:
The Eye Root: Do not allow your vision to be selective, seeking only what is pleasant while rejecting what is unpleasant.
The Ear Root: Do not listen only to what pleases you while ignoring the difficult truths that may actually aid your growth.
The Nose Root: Do not crave only sweet fragrances while recoiling from the realities of the world.
The Tongue Root: Do not seek only the sweetness of taste while avoiding the bitterness of discipline.
Root: Do not cling to the comfort of soft sensations while shunning the rougher, more challenging aspects of life.
The Mind Root: Do not allow your thoughts to dwell only on what you desire, while pushing away the necessary reflections that lead to .
The Unwavering Focus of the Buddha-Name
When you engage in the practice of chanting the Buddha-name, your heart must be entirely devoted to the act. If your Six Roots are constantly reaching outward toward the world, your mind will not be focused on the sacred name of . When this happens, wandering thoughts will immediately manifest, and the continuity of your chanting will be broken.
Whenever you find your mind drifting, you must immediately raise your awareness. Re-establish your focus, bring the Buddha-name back to the forefront of your mind, and continue to restrain your Six Roots. By doing so, you can proceed directly and single-mindedly in your chanting, allowing the Buddha-name to permeate your entire being.
Purifying Body, Speech, and Mind
A true practitioner must exercise restraint over their Body, Speech, and Mind. Do not allow your body to chase after worldly desires, do not let your speech utter unkind words, and do not permit your mind to harbour malicious thoughts. This discipline is vital during your moments of diligent practice:
During Prostrations: Focus your heart entirely on the Buddha-name. As your body bows, let your mouth silently recite the name, and let your mind be filled with nothing but the Buddha.
During Chanting: Maintain a singular focus on the Buddha-name. Whether you are walking or standing, let your mouth recite the name, and let your mind be occupied only by the Buddha.
During Sutra Recitation: Focus your heart on the text of the sutras. Sit with a steady body, and ensure that every word you speak is clear and distinct. Do not let your mind wander or speculate; simply follow the text and recite it with a sincere and direct heart.
Transcending the
You must learn to restrain your heart and keep it anchored firmly to the Buddha-name. Do not allow your heart to seek satisfaction in the external world, for it will only be turned by circumstances and rise and fall like waves upon the ocean. You must actively restrain and eventually eradicate the Five Poisons: greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt.
Do not allow these Five Poisons to manifest, as they will only harm others, harm yourself, and create heavy karma. If you allow these poisons to take root, you will drift further away from the heart of the Buddha, and your aspiration for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss will become increasingly difficult to realise.
Restraint is a skill that every practitioner must master. Those who achieve spiritual success are invariably those who have mastered the art of restraining their senses and have attained a deep and stable meditative concentration. By keeping your heart pure and your focus unwavering, you will surely find the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
