The Matters at Hand for a Practitioner
Words of Namo Amituofo
Recorded by Venerable HaiZe on October 9, 2022
The Foundation of the Practitioner
My children, when you walk the path of the Buddha, what is truly the most important matter at hand? To be a true practitioner—whether you are a monastic, a lay practitioner, or a volunteer—you must learn to change your ways. It is not enough to simply follow the motions; you must actively work to change your personality traits and refine your character. This is the foundation upon which all spiritual progress is built.
Can you truly see through and let go of the people, events, and objects that you find most difficult to release? These attachments are the very things that bind you to the cycle of rebirth. To progress, you must learn to detach from these worldly concerns and focus your heart entirely on the path of the Buddha.
The Daily Path to Purification
Your daily lessons are essential. Recite the Sutras, complete your daily tasks, and engage in diligent practice to transform and rediscover your true self. Through these acts, you invite spirits to resolve conflicts with all beings, and you perform the sacred work of to deliver sentient beings.
By committing yourself to this path, you work towards the ultimate goal: to not grow old, not get sick, and the spirit does not die, achieving rebirth in the . This is the promise of the Pure Land path, and it is available to all who practise with sincerity.
Beyond the Physical
Is the most important thing simply to eat when you are hungry, to rest when you are tired, or to dress according to the weather? These are the needs of the physical body, and while they must be attended to, they are not the ultimate purpose of your life. If you focus only on the comfort of , you will remain trapped in the cycle of suffering.
To achieve the state of an awakened being, you must be able to perceive the suffering of others as your own. It is only when you recognise this shared suffering that you can truly begin to give talks, resolve the suffering of others, and save yourself and others, reaching the Western Pure Land and finding one's own Buddha nature.
Living with Gratitude and Diligence
Can you live each day with a heart full of gratitude? Can you practise with diligence, never ceasing in your prostrations and your chanting of Buddha's name, every minute and every second aligning your thoughts, words, and actions with the heart and vows of the Buddha?
Every one of these tasks is a matter of great importance for a practitioner. Each one is a vital step toward achieving the state of an awakened being, saving the world, delivering sentient beings, propagating the Dharma, and carrying forward the Pure Land tradition. My children, with so much work to be done for the benefit of all beings, how could you ever find the time to be lazy or to let your practice slacken?
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library