The various methods of practice are designed to remove the stains of pollution and restore our original, inherent purity. What do we mean by pollution? It is the accumulation of every thought, intention, and action that arises when the heart is disturbed by waves of emotion and desire. When these thoughts enter our , they transform into . They manifest as the three karmic burdens of Body, Speech, and Mind. Because these new actions interact with the heavy weight of our past karma, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of suffering. How, then, can we truly become pure?
Practising the path is the process of purifying the Buddha-land within our own hearts. We are transforming a polluted, defiled land into a pure Buddha-land. Therefore, learning how to purify , heart, and spirit—and ultimately entering a state of total purity to rediscover our true nature—is the most important task of our lives.
Purifying
Before one reaches the state of , we must be vigilant regarding the Six Roots: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. These are our primary gateways to the world. We must be particularly careful of the : Wealth, Sexual Pleasure, Fame, Food, and Sleep. If we encounter images, pictures, or people that are not virtuous, they will disturb our hearts and create ripples of agitation. This is of no benefit to our practice.
Until you have attained deep meditative concentration—the ability to see without being moved, and to hear without being distracted—you must actively protect your senses:
Eyes: Distance yourself from sights that lead to desire or confusion.
Ears: Distance yourself from sounds that stir the passions or lead to idle talk.
Nose: Avoid being drawn into the sensory attachments of the world.
Tongue: Practise restraint in tasting and speaking; avoid idle chatter.
Body: Avoid unnecessary physical contact and sensory indulgence.
Mind: Do not allow external dust to enter your consciousness and take root.
The Heart as the Foundation
Purification begins with the heart. We must cultivate good thoughts, good actions, and good words. The teachings of the Buddha and the guidance provided by Practitioner Su must be listened to with a sincere heart and integrated into our daily lives. You must change your behaviour through your practice. Do not let your personality—which is often just the ego of a sentient being—take charge. When the ego is in control, it leads to the violation of the through body, speech, and mind. This, in turn, awakens the , causes karma to manifest, and brings suffering to the body.
The Constant Practice of Chanting
I ask all of you to keep the Buddha-name close at all times. Let the name of be your constant companion:
Keep the Buddha-name in your heart: When the heart contains the Buddha, the Buddha is truly within your heart.
Keep the Buddha-name on your lips: When you chant with a sincere heart, every word that leaves your mouth radiates with golden light.
Keep the Buddha-name in your ears: Let the sound of the Buddha-name flow into your ears, purifying your ear-consciousness and permeating your entire being.
When every cell in your body joins in the chanting, your entire being will be purified.
Stabilising the Spirit
To purify the spirit, we must ensure that the three hun souls and seven po souls are stable and settled within the body. When they are settled, you will be able to leave behind of and avoid drifting into other spaces. How can you ensure this stability? You must change your personality traits so that your karmic creditors can find peace. By chanting Namo Amituofo and accepting the , they can be resolved and liberated. Encourage them to enter the -Nature Land and make the vow to chant the Buddha-name, so that they too may be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Purifying the body, heart, and spirit is the essential process for any Pure Land practitioner on the path to Awakening. I ask the fourfold assembly of disciples to understand this clearly, to put it into practice, and to see your true nature.
