As the morning light begins to grace the world, the six-syllable name of resonates once again. Within the sacred space of Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, five large memorial tablets hang high, glowing with a brilliant, luminous light that seems to fill the entire void of space. Those who have not yet visited Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre might find it difficult to imagine such a sight. These memorial tablets are so vast and so radiant that, the moment one steps into the Buddha hall, one is immediately captured and uplifted by their presence. This is precisely why the Buddha statues in traditional temples are crafted to be exceptionally large; their purpose is to draw the wandering mind back to a state of stillness and reverence, allowing the practitioner to be fully absorbed by the Buddha’s light.
The Illusion of the Physical Body
Beings in this Saha world are able to attain clarity and only through the study of the Buddha’s teachings. For those who have not yet encountered the , life is often consumed by the pursuit of basic needs and the gratification of the . They spend their days and nights working solely for the sake of their physical bodies and the needs of their families. They seek only to satisfy their hunger or to pursue higher levels of material comfort, often trapped by the and . However, we must realise that life exists only between one breath and the next. When that final breath ceases, everything we have accumulated—our family, our career, our fame, and our wealth—cannot be taken with us. This physical body is merely a temporary shell, a vessel that will eventually pass away. In contrast, our true self, our spirit, is unborn and undying.
The Path of Spiritual Growth
True practice lies in the cultivation of profound spiritual growth. It is about developing a sensitive and sharp awareness so that, even at the moment of our final breath, we can remain the master of our own destiny. We must be able to clearly and distinctly perceive whether our true self is pure and unstained. If we can maintain this clarity, we can take charge of our own transition, chanting Namo Amituofo and receiving the guidance of the Buddha to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Practitioner Su often reminds those who listen to the Dharma talks that one must learn to rely on oneself rather than depending on others. At the moment of rebirth, you must be the one to save yourself. You must work to eliminate your own and mental distraction, aligning your practice with the conduct of the Buddha so that you may be guided by Him. While you still possess the breath of life, you should cherish your existence and strive to help all beings with whom you share a karmic affinity to also reach rebirth. This is the true expression of , , and Selfless Giving.
The Boundless Work of Practitioner Su
Nourishing one’s own character and cultivating a heart of compassion are essential requirements for every practitioner. When you can maintain a mind of compassion, you will not be easily disturbed by external spirits. Naturally, your path of practice will progress with diligence every single day. Only then, at the final moment of life, will you truly be able to see the Buddha and be guided by Him. I have observed that, beyond giving Dharma talks and teaching, Practitioner Su personally attends to the daily lives of the fourfold assembly of disciples. He points out the blind spots they encounter in their practice and directs them toward the specific areas that require adjustment. Through this guidance, the fourfold assembly is immersed daily in the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings, coming to understand that all phenomena are illusory. There is only one thing that matters: to truly chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth. A true practitioner is one who knows where they are going, who is no longer subject to the suffering of the cycle of rebirth, and who is capable of helping other beings leave suffering behind and find happiness.
The Highest Enjoyment of Life
Today, the work of Practitioner Su, through the performed by his , spans the entire universe—saving those in the highest realms and rescuing those suffering in the deepest hells. His work is vast and immeasurable. The fourfold assembly of disciples must cherish this magnificent and rare Causal Condition. You should strive to find your true self as early as possible and dedicate yourselves to saving more suffering beings. Learning the Buddha’s teachings is the highest enjoyment in life. The greatest blessing one can attain is to chant Namo Amituofo and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The most wise form of Generosity is to counsel others to chant the Buddha’s name. Just as Practitioner Su performs Chao Du through his Dharma Body, this is the most compassionate and wisest path, and it is one that we all ought to learn and emulate. Namo Amituofo.
