The Heart of Gratitude

The Gift of This Precious Human Life

To be alive in this world, and to have lived until this very moment, is a blessing beyond measure. There is so much for which we must be profoundly grateful. We must first offer our deepest gratitude to our parents. They gave us life, nurtured us, and raised us with care. Because of them, we possess this physical body, which allows us to breathe the air, to eat, to sleep, and to sustain our existence. The very presence of this body and the environment that supports it have allowed us to grow and survive until today.

In this human world, and within the halls of hospitals, how many people struggle just to draw a single breath? They must exert immense effort just to survive for one more moment. If we did not have this breath, we would no longer be in this world. Therefore, we must cherish this body, for it is the vessel that allows us to engage in True Cultivation, to transform our karma, and to rediscover our true self.

The Path of Wisdom and Understanding

We are also deeply indebted to our parents, our country, and the Buddha’s teachings for our education. Because of this guidance, we have been able to learn in peace and stability. We have come to understand the laws of karma and cause and effect, and we have learned to recognise the suffering inherent in birth, aging, sickness, and death within the cycle of rebirth. Most importantly, we have come to know that our true self exists, and we have begun the practice of seeking to return to that original nature.

The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang

We must express our heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to practise at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It is here that we have been fortunate enough to meet Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su. Because of this, we have been granted the rare opportunity to study the Pure Land Dharma. We have received the teachings and compassionate blessings of the Western Three Saints, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the patriarchs and venerable masters. Furthermore, we are constantly watched over and protected by the Dragon and Heaven Dharma Protectors.

Within this sacred environment, we are able to:

• Walk firmly upon the Buddha's path, with the guidance to return to the right way whenever we stray.
• Transform our karma when karmic obstacles and demonic enemies manifest.
• Resolve the conflict with our karmic creditors and perform Chao Du to help them attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
• Subdue demonic enemies and negative influences.
• Gain the opportunity to transcend the cycle of birth and death, escape the three realms of existence, and achieve the Awakening that allows us to save ourselves and all other beings.

Without this guidance, we would surely continue to drift as beings of the six paths, trapped forever in the cycle of rebirth.

Living in Constant Gratitude

We must be grateful for everything, every minute and every second of our lives. When you maintain a heart of gratitude, you will naturally attain purity, contentment, and satisfaction. You will find true joy, and your heart will be filled with Dharma joy. May we all walk this path with a heart that is forever thankful, moving from confusion to awakening, and from impurity to the purity of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.