The Inevitability of Success: Words of Namo Amituofo

The Nature of Persistent Effort

Have you ever felt that despite your best efforts, you cannot see the fruits of your labour? This uncertainty often leads many to doubt the value of their own hard work. My dear children in the Dharma, please understand that success is not something that manifests overnight. It is a process that requires time and patience to unfold. However, if you do not exert effort at all, there will certainly be no results to speak of. Often, when you are in the midst of your practice, you may find it difficult to be the master of your own heart and mind. Even when your doubts are temporarily resolved, the relief is often limited, and the prospect of becoming an awakened being seems distant.

The Barrier of Self-Protection

Trust between individuals is not something that can be achieved in a fleeting moment. This hesitation is primarily caused by our own self-protective instincts. We build walls around our hearts to shield ourselves from perceived harm, yet these very walls prevent us from truly connecting with others and with the wisdom of the Buddha. My dear children, the Buddha possesses a heart of no-mind. Because of this, there is no distinction between the questions you ask; there is no question too large or too small. As long as a problem can be resolved, that resolution is the most important thing.

Solving Problems with a Pure Heart

When you encounter a problem, you must address it directly and resolve it at its source. Do not attempt to evade the issue, nor should you create further complications by categorising or making discriminations between different types of problems. For those who are attached to their own perceptions, the size and importance of a problem are determined by the heart. This tendency to label things as significant or trivial is merely another source of your afflictions and suffering. The most vital task is to resolve the problem itself, rather than allowing your mind to create new layers of distress based on the perceived weight of the situation. When you hold onto a biased heart, you will often find that problems remain unsolved. Conversely, when you cultivate a heart of no-mind, you will find that problems often resolve themselves naturally.

The Path to Awakening at Hsiang Kuang

When it comes to matters that help beings leave suffering behind and find happiness, you must act directly and selflessly. Do not seek rewards or recognition for your service. When you serve the community and engage in actions that bring joy to others, do so with a sincere heart, again without seeking any return. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you must follow the guidance provided by Namo Amituofo, our Teacher, and Practitioner Su. By doing so, you will find the path to your true self:

• Maintain an active and persistent practice in all that you do.Be willing to change your ways and correct your past mistakes.Continuously move forward on the path of the Dharma.Listen to the teachings with an open heart and put them into action.

When you listen, change your ways, and act directly, your doubts will naturally dissolve. When the time is right, the light of your true nature will manifest, shining with infinite brilliance. Rediscovering your true self is an absolute certainty if you remain steadfast on this path.

Namo Amituofo