The Heart of Gratitude: A Path to Awakening

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on the twenty-fourth of November, 2024.

In this Five Turbidities and Evil World, the journey of learning the Buddha's teachings and practising until one reaches the state of an awakened being is a long and arduous path. Throughout this journey, beyond your own diligent practice, there are two essential factors that make the attainment of an awakened being possible:

• The constant reception of the Buddha's blessings.
• The guidance and support of a true spiritual friend.

Without these two pillars, it is exceptionally difficult for a practitioner to realise their true nature. Therefore, to encounter the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends is a truly magnificent and rare occurrence. You should always keep a heart of gratitude within your mind.

The Sanctuary of Namo Amituofo

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, where Namo Amituofo truly abides, we convey messages to provide guidance and teachings to the fourfold assembly of disciples. Through these teachings, we point out the specific problems in each person's practice and offer clear instructions on how to improve. If the fourfold assembly can listen with sincerity, accept these words, change their ways, and put these teachings into action, they will surely receive great benefits.

Changing one's personality traits and overcoming the state of being drowsy to enter into higher dimensions of space have become the shared daily lessons for the fourfold assembly. You must continue to strive with great effort in these areas. You must listen to the Buddha's words and act accordingly. If you do not follow the Buddha's instructions, or if you have yet to fully accept the Buddha's teachings, your practice will struggle to progress, or worse, it may even regress. In such a state, it is difficult to cultivate a heart of gratitude, and the opportunity for an awakened being will remain out of reach.

Overcoming the Weight of Karma

When karma manifests, if your personality traits are deeply rooted and you find it difficult to change your ways or transform your character, you will face significant challenges. Even if you are engaged in Buddhist practice, you may find yourself unable to withstand the pressure of your karma or the demands of your karmic creditors. Consequently, the suffering of old age and illness will manifest, and you will eventually have to face the ultimate suffering of death. Such a person will find it nearly impossible to maintain a heart of gratitude or to engage in diligent practice. Furthermore, if you are constantly disturbed by demon crowds, you will find it difficult to break through the obstacles in your practice. Even if you possess a heart of gratitude, your mind will remain in a state of constant fluctuation and instability.

The Path to True Awakening

However, when your heart of compassion manifests and your spiritual sensitivity becomes clear, you will be able to perceive and truly appreciate the skillful means of Practitioner Su, both through his physical example and his verbal teachings. Those who can do this will naturally give rise to a heart of gratitude. They will be able to:

• Diligently complete their daily practice.
• Actively work to change their personality traits.
• Face and overcome the state of being drowsy.
• Successfully enter into the higher dimensions of space.

For such a practitioner, the hope of an awakened being is truly within reach. I hope that the fourfold assembly will treat themselves and others with compassion and always keep a heart of gratitude. If you can initiate the practice of diligent self-rescue, the Buddha will surely bestow his blessings upon you, and you will move steadily forward toward the goal of an awakened being.

Namo Amituofo