As a practitioner, when you truly realise that all beings are one with you, you have cultivated a heart of deep compassion. You see the suffering of others, and you vow to relieve it through your diligent practice. This is not a task for the faint of heart, for the suffering of beings in this world is endless. You must be prepared to work with unwavering persistence.
The Hardship of the Five Turbidities
We reside in the Five Turbidities and Evil World, where the of beings is heavy and deep. It is a place where the ego is firmly entrenched, making it difficult to subdue our own attachments and views. To truly help others leave suffering behind, you must possess genuine attainment. This attainment is the realisation of your true nature, known as becoming an awakened being. This is not something that can be achieved in a single day or night. It requires you to be fiercely diligent, to face your problems head-on, and to overcome them with the wisdom gained through your practice.
The Necessity of Spiritual Guidance
It is essential that you seek the guidance of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, and true spiritual friends. When you are walking the path of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, you must adhere strictly to the . If your thoughts stray or your actions deviate from the path, you must be humble enough to accept the guidance of your teachers and immediately correct your mistakes. This process of constant refinement is vital for your progress.
The Danger of Unresolved Karma
If you allow old karma to remain while you continue to create new karma, you will face significant obstacles. When your and the manifestation of your past karma appear, they will create barriers to becoming an awakened being. These obstacles are the direct result of your every thought and intention. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious. Ensure that your mind is filled only with goodness, and never allow evil thoughts, evil actions, or evil intentions to take root. If you harbour such negativity, you will drift further away from becoming an awakened being. Even if you chant the name of continuously at the end of your life, and even if Namo Amituofo comes to lead you to the , the sudden appearance of your karmic creditors may cause your mind to become confused and fearful. If you lose your focus and your mind becomes disordered, you will lose the precious opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land in this lifetime.
The Path of Pure Diligence
You must be diligent and persistent in your practice, focusing on the following areas:
Changing your personality: Continue to correct your flaws until not a single trace of your old, ego-driven personality remains. Replace it with boundless compassion, tolerance, and a vast mind-capacity.
Cultivating purity: Strive for goodness upon goodness, and purity upon purity, until your heart is perfectly pure and good, without a single speck of defilement.
Maintaining daily practice: Ensure that your daily lessons are never interrupted, regardless of the circumstances.
Even after you have reached the state of an awakened being, you must continue to be diligent and persistent in the work of , helping to save sentient beings and ensuring they can leave suffering behind forever. The work of saving infinite suffering beings never stops, and your commitment to this path must be just as enduring.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
