The Heartfelt Exhortations of the Buddha

The Compassionate Guidance of the Buddhas

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are filled with boundless compassion. Whenever they manifest in the human world to deliver lectures and teach the Dharma, they always offer heartfelt exhortations. They urge the more advanced practitioners—the Great Bodhisattvas—to look after the newer practitioners, whom we call the Small Bodhisattvas. They do this because they do not wish to see these smaller ones drift through the human world, suffering in ignorance. Furthermore, they instruct all beings to receive these teachings with sincere faith and to uphold them firmly in their daily lives.

This is because every manifestation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is rooted in the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. They come to this world for one primary purpose: to rescue all beings from their endless suffering. They also hope that you, as sentient beings, will learn to save yourselves, thereby finding the strength to escape the cycle of rebirth in the six realms.

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas view every sentient being as a future Buddha. They long for you to believe in the Buddha, to learn from the Buddha, and ultimately to become a Buddha. They do not wish to see you sink deeper into the vast, turbulent ocean of karmic rebirth, where it becomes increasingly difficult to find a way out.

The Perils of the Age of the Dharma’s Decline

My children, you must understand the gravity of this age of the Dharma’s decline. In this era, the karmic obstacles of sentient beings are exceptionally deep and heavy. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a rare and precious spiritual connection and a genuine desire to hear the Dharma and seek liberation, you must ask yourselves several critical questions:

• Do you possess enough merit and have the conditions matured sufficiently for you to continue following this path?Can you remain steadfast in your faith, continue chanting Namo Amituofo, and overcome the various obstacles that arise?Will you be able to successfully transcend the cycle of rebirth and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
• ?Do you have enough remaining lifespan to practise until your Buddha-recitation skills are truly powerful?When the time of your passing arrives, will you be able to chant Namo Amituofo with such clarity that you summon the Buddha to lead you to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?Are you truly encountering the True Teachings, which guide you onto the righteous path, or are you inadvertently following demonic beings and false paths that will sever your Dharma Body and wisdom?

The Crucial Balance of Self-Effort and Buddha’s Power

These subtle dangers are often difficult to avoid, even if you are careful. When your Six Roots are clouded by karmic obstacles, you may not see things clearly. Even if you understand the situation and are willing to face your problems and counteract them without running away, you may still find yourself unable to overcome the external obstacles of this world. Consequently, you might find yourself retreating back onto the path of samsara.

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are not unaware of these struggles. They know, and they warn you; they offer their guidance and assistance. However, if you lack sufficient self-effort, it becomes difficult for you to awaken. If you are unable to save yourself, you will inevitably fall back into the cycle of rebirth.

Students of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you have a rare and precious spiritual connection. Please remember this well: even with such a magnificent connection, you must still practise with diligence and self-effort. Only then can you receive the full measure of the Buddha's blessings and truly enjoy the magnificent benefits of the Dharma in this lifetime.

Namo Amituofo