The Essence of the Pure Land School
Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Hailiang
A Celebration of Light and
February 12, 2019. For hundreds of miles around, the night is illuminated by brilliant light, celebrating the arrival of the Buddha. At the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia, a new century of renown has begun. From all directions, people have gathered, and the sounds of celebration reach the very clouds. This joy arises because the six-character name, Namo Amituofo, is being spread far and wide. In this atmosphere, even the flowers, trees, and plants seem to smile in recognition. The birds take flight, the swallows return to their nests, and the spirits within the water gather together in harmony, all joyfully chanting the essence of the Pure Land school.
On this beautiful, sun-drenched day, the roads leading to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are filled with a constant stream of traffic. Everyone has come with a singular purpose: to learn the Buddha's teachings, to seek the Buddha's blessing, and to practise chanting Namo Amituofo so that they may attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through the of Practitioner Su and the magnificent power of , countless suffering beings have been saved. Being bathed in Buddha light has ignited a spark of hope in the hearts of all beings, for they have come to realise that only by studying the Buddha's teachings can one truly escape the cycle of rebirth.
The Infinite Power of the Six-Character Name
The Pure Land school has always taken Buddha-recitation as its foundation. When one's practice of chanting Namo Amituofo reaches the level where the mind is unified and undisturbed, one will be led by the Buddha to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at the time of passing. The six-character name, Namo Amituofo, represents the shared vow of Practitioner Su and the Buddha. It is the key to unravelling the suffering of beings across all space and within the six realms of existence. By chanting this six-character name, one can seek rebirth in a fortunate realm or, ultimately, in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Purest Environment for Spiritual Growth
The essence of the Pure Land school lies in the propagation of Namo Amituofo. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is, in itself, a Pure Land. Those who come here to chant Namo Amituofo can do so with a focused and sincere heart, and each one of them has the potential to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. The great Bodhisattvas of the Western Land of Nature are constantly listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma. They chant the name of the Buddha, seek rebirth, and cultivate Bodhicitta, always focusing their minds on Namo Amituofo. They are dedicated to the path of rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. May all beings follow this path, leave suffering behind, and find true happiness.
Ashvaghosha
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Hailiang
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library