The Blooming and Fruition of the Spirit

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

26 September 2021

The Wisdom of Nature's Cycles

Flowers bloom and flowers fade. This is one of the fundamental manifestations of the changing seasons for all earthly creatures. A plant must undergo a period of diligent effort, drawing nutrients from the soil and reaching toward the light, before it can achieve the beauty of a full bloom. Only after the bloom has served its purpose does it fade, eventually yielding its fruit. This natural cycle of renewal offers us a profound lesson. It reveals that there is a set of universal rules governing the progression of time. To accept and respect these natural changes is the essential way to maintain the harmony of the natural order. When the timing is right, the lives of all earthly creatures are sustained, and their spirits are allowed to continue their journey.

The Path of Diligent Practice

The achievement of spiritual purification is not something that can be attained in a single day. It is not a sudden transformation but a process that requires the accumulation of effort over days, months, and years. You must work to remove impurities to attain purity, bit by bit, step by step, with your feet firmly planted on the ground. This is the only way to build a foundation that is truly stable and enduring. Do not seek shortcuts, for the path to awakening is paved with the consistency of your daily practice.

Cultivating the Heart and Nature

Students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, at this magnificent time, you must encourage and motivate yourselves. Do not let your precious time pass in vain. You must engage in diligent practice with the hope of becoming an awakened being. You must nurture your heart, nurture your true nature, and nurture your lotus. When you bloom in the Western Pure Land, and when you attain Buddhahood through Buddha recitation, you will bear the fruit of your practice by saving endless suffering beings and guiding them to the Western Pure Land.

The Opportunity for Rebirth

The excellent opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land is present here, within today's Thrice Yearning Ceremony. May you seize this moment to deepen your faith and vows, ensuring that your practice leads to the ultimate liberation of all beings.

Namo Amituofo