From ancient times until the present day, the ultimate goal and deepest aspiration of every practitioner has been to realise one's true nature. When you look upon the suffering of sentient beings, you must develop a profound understanding of the difference between the illusory nature of our daily lives and the profound reality of awakening. You must witness how beings are trapped within the six realms of existence, drifting through the cycle of rebirth without any ability to control their own destiny. It is from this deep, compassionate heart that the natural vow to practise and realise one's true nature arises.
Even though the process of realising one's true nature requires significant effort—and may even span across more than one lifetime—you must still make a beginning. You must make your vows and commit yourself to a path of diligent practice, moving forward with courage and persistence. Under the guidance of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, and true spiritual friends, there will come a time when you finally realise your true nature.
Connecting to the Infinite Source
Those who have realised their true nature become one with all earthly creatures, the universe, the Milky Way, and the entire Realm. Because of this profound unity, they are able to receive an endless, inexhaustible flow of energy from the natural order of the universe. In the practice of the path, a person who has realised their true nature is inevitably fused with the Buddha-heart, the Buddha-vows, and the Buddha-actions of .
Consequently, they gain access to the boundless energy contained within the Buddha’s vows and the radiant Buddha-light of Namo Amituofo. This energy represents the pinnacle of purity and goodness. It provides the necessary sustenance for the physical body of the awakened being and empowers the spiritual strength required when performing for others. Through this, both the practitioner and their surrounding environment can manifest the radiant Buddha-light and energy of Namo Amituofo.
The Visible and Invisible Light
Sometimes, when this Buddha-light and energy manifest, people can perceive it with their physical —they can see it or hear it. At other times, this light and energy manifest within the spiritual realms. While ordinary people may not be able to see or hear these manifestations, the spirits within those realms can perceive them clearly. This provides substantial and direct assistance to those beings who are suffering.
For instance, when the of an awakened being performs Chao Du, the spiritual realms can see and hear the process. They understand that Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Therefore, they are able to seize this magnificent opportunity to come to the temple to listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, seek the Dharma, and request Chao Du. This grants them the precious chance to enter the Western Land of Dharma Nature, or to be reborn in the human realm, the heavenly realm, or the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
A Sanctuary for Deliverance
Those who have realised their true nature possess infinite and immeasurable wisdom. From within their own true self, a constant, inexhaustible stream of compassion and wisdom flows forth. They can clearly perceive the various sufferings of sentient beings and naturally manifest the appropriate methods to resolve them. However, because sentient beings and their environments are constantly changing within the state of impermanence, these methods must also be adjusted at any given moment.
Therefore, there is no fixed method in the Dharma. By responding to the changes of each moment, the practitioner can provide practical and effective help to all beings. The lectures and teachings given by those who have realised their true nature are not bound by time or space. They adapt their teachings based on the individual, the time, and the location, carefully observing the potential of each being. Although the teachings may differ in form, they never deviate from the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
The Supreme Path of Chanting
These teachings do not require prior preparation. Because all Buddhas walk the same path, the wisdom comes naturally, and every word spoken is a manifestation of the Dharma. Originally, there was no Dharma; it is only because sentient beings are trapped in confusion that the various teachings exist to resolve their doubts. These teachings also flow continuously from the true self. The 84,000 Dharma gates are all like this.
Among them, the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo is the most convenient and effective method, suitable for beings of all capacities. It is a magnificent and rare opportunity. Once you have encountered the path of Namo Amituofo, you must grasp it firmly and never let go. By doing so, you will attain the magnificent benefits of the Dharma, including rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the realisation of your true nature to attain Buddhahood.
