The Essence of True Practice: Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
A Discourse on the Path of Cultivation
Recorded on February 4, 2019
The True Meaning of Cultivation
Since ancient times, people have spoken of the importance of cultivating , harmonising the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. Even before the Buddha’s teachings were introduced to China, many individuals sought the path of practice. What, then, is the true nature of practice? It is the correction of our behaviour. We must understand that our actions manifest in three distinct ways: the actions of the mind, which are our thoughts and intentions; the actions of the mouth, which are our words; and the actions of , which are our physical movements. When these behaviours are misguided or flawed, we must correct them. To truly eliminate our afflictions and transform our deep-seated habits is what we call practice.
Beyond the Surface of Rituals
Many people mistakenly believe that simply chanting the name of Namo Amituofo, performing prostrations, or reciting the sutras constitutes practice. However, if these actions are performed without a focused mind, they remain merely external forms. There is an ancient saying that warns us: If your mouth chants the name of Namo Amituofo while your heart is scattered and distracted, you may shout until your throat is sore, but it will all be in vain. Therefore, if your chanting, prostrations, or sutra recitations are mixed with delusions, they offer no benefit to your spiritual progress. When you chant but allow your mind to wander, you are not truly with the Buddha. Instead, you are inviting confusion, which renders the practice ineffective.
Consider the act of . If your body is bowing to the Buddha while The Head is busy thinking about worldly affairs, you are not truly bowing. Similarly, when you recite the sutras, if your eyes are scanning the text and your mouth is speaking the words, but The Head is busy interpreting the meaning or anticipating the next sentence, you are not truly reciting. True recitation requires that you read each sentence with a mind free from delusion. Only then is it a genuine act of devotion. You must understand that chanting, prostrations, and sutra recitations are merely tools for practice. Their primary purpose is to help you transform your delusions, allowing you to attain a pure heart in the present moment. With a pure heart, your chanting, prostrations, and recitations become clear, luminous, and profoundly effective.
The Path to a Pure Heart
To attain this pure heart, you must learn to let go of your delusion, discrimination, and attachment. When you practise with a pure heart, you will no longer see the faults of others, which is perhaps the most vital aspect of your spiritual journey. The Buddha is the Awakened One! For those of us who are learning from the Buddha, what does it mean to truly use the name of Namo Amituofo in our practice? It means that Namo Amituofo is always present in your heart, and his name is always on your lips. You must set aside all messy thoughts and delusions, using the act of chanting Namo Amituofo to counteract every thought and intention. This is the essence of practice; this is true practice.
Chief writer: 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