The Oneness Perspective: Awakening to Our Shared Nature

The Essence of Oneness

In this world, the various forms of discrimination and comparison we engage in are the primary causes of the barriers and friction between us. What is the Oneness Perspective? It is the profound realisation that, regardless of age, gender, or whether one resides in the six realms of existence or the four sacred realms, all beings—the Buddha, all sentient beings, and our own hearts—are fundamentally one.

In terms of ultimate truth, we all possess the same Prajna wisdom and the same Buddha-nature. We appear different only because of the varying degrees of confusion or awakening we have accumulated over countless lifetimes. When we look past these superficial differences, we begin to see the underlying unity that connects us all.

The Spirit Within All Things

Everything in existence, whether sentient or non-sentient, possesses a spirit. When you look out into the world, you must recognise that everything is a manifestation of life:

• Every flower and blade of grassEvery drop of water, every grain of dust, and every stoneEvery single grain of riceEvery piece of furniture, such as tables, chairs, bowls, chopsticks, and cupsEvery vegetable and fruitEvery sheet of paper and every penThe vast mountains, rivers, and the earth itselfAll living creatures and spirits dwelling within the land

All of these are sentient beings. They all possess a spirit and the original Buddha-nature. They have merely taken on different forms and entered different realms based on the nature of their thoughts. We must learn to cherish and protect them. To love and protect the spirits of all beings is, in truth, to protect the spirit within ourselves, for our own spirit is but one among the infinite multitude. If your own spirit is pure, you will be able to perceive and understand the spiritual world of others.

The Body as a Vessel for Karma

The world of spirits is governed by the mind. For the Oneness Perspective to be realised in this human realm, it must be expressed through the physical body. Our bodies are composed of the four elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—and are subject to the interference of karmic creditors, as well as the inevitable processes of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

If you wish to allow the compassion and wisdom of the Oneness Perspective to flow without obstruction, you must first resolve your karmic debts. This requires performing Chao Du to help your karmic creditors. Only when your spirit is purified can the Oneness Perspective be truly and clearly expressed through your physical actions.

The Path of the Awakened Being

Those who have realised their true nature are inevitably practitioners of the Oneness Perspective. They possess the strength to overcome the manifestation of karma, the obstacles of the body and mind, and the interference of karmic creditors. From the perspective of truth, the karmic creditors within your body are no different from yourself.

Therefore, beyond repenting for your karmic obstacles, you must understand that your desire for rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss must extend to them as well. You must guide your karmic creditors to the Western Pure Land alongside you, rather than seeking to go alone and leaving them to wander in the cycle of rebirth. When you act with such sincerity, your karmic creditors will be able to perceive your intent, feel your compassion, and accept your guidance.

You must also change your personal habits and personality traits. By stopping the momentum of karma and simultaneously transforming your thoughts and actions, you can persuade your karmic creditors to cease their pursuit of revenge. Those who can resolve these grievances are truly wise. They allow the heart of Oneness and their practice to advance in harmony. For those who have realised their true nature, the idea that the body can be free of illness and the spirit can attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land is not a myth, but a reachable reality.

The Great Compassion of the Buddha

To resolve the great matter of life and death, one must possess correct knowledge and correct thoughts, grounded in the utmost goodness. Because of the Oneness Perspective, you and others are one; there is no high or low, no distinction. Thus, you can manifest great compassion and great wisdom toward all beings. You become selfless, working to relieve the suffering of beings and bring them happiness. This is the conduct of one who has realised their true nature, and it is the path that those who seek such realisation must follow.

The profound conduct of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and ancestral masters is a natural expression of the Oneness Perspective, manifesting from within to the outside world. Their endless compassion and vows to teach, save, and liberate beings are the manifestation of the Buddha-heart and the Buddha-vow, providing all beings with the opportunity to be saved and leave suffering behind.

The Infinite Power of Namo Amituofo

The Pure Land practice of chanting the Buddha's name is based on the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a manifestation of the great compassionate power of the Oneness Perspective of Namo Amituofo, whose body encompasses the entire Dharma Realm. Everything that Namo Amituofo possesses is shared with all beings in the Western Pure Land; nothing is lacking. This is the ultimate manifestation of the Oneness Perspective—a natural state that appears according to the aspirations of the heart.

All the merits, vows, and power of Namo Amituofo are contained within the name Namo Amituofo. This is the boundless, skillful means provided by the Buddha out of his pity for suffering beings, allowing those with karmic affinity to chant with a sincere heart, carry their karma, and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

Cultivating the Oneness Perspective

The long-term vision of Buddhist education is to cultivate individuals who can realise their true nature through the Oneness Perspective. Realising one's true nature and recovering one's original Dharma Body is not a special ability reserved for a few; it is something everyone inherently possesses. It must be developed through Buddhist education and the guidance of a wise teacher. Once you have saved yourself and realised your true nature, you can become a guide for others, helping them find their own true nature and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Every member of the fourfold assembly within a Pure Land chanting bodhimanda and temple should embody the Oneness Perspective. A true bodhimanda is one where the Six Harmonies are practised in reality:

• Harmony in views: Sharing a common understanding of the DharmaHarmony in precepts: Observing the same rules of conductHarmony in living: Dwelling together in peaceHarmony in joy: Sharing the same spiritual happinessHarmony in speech: Communicating without conflictHarmony in benefits: Sharing resources equally

Where these principles are truly upheld, the support of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the Dragon and Heaven Dharma Protectors is guaranteed.

The Mission of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

In today's society, everyone is busy, and personal ego and self-attachment are strong. It is not easy to reach a consensus, let alone adjust one's own mind and body to let go of personal habits and live in harmony with others. Only by having a selfless heart and putting the needs of others first can one overcome personal problems and desires. Within the monastic community, one must treat the needs of all beings as one's own. This is the only way to transform and capture the hearts of others, making them willing to listen, change, and improve.

We must never use forceful attitudes or methods to compel others to accept our views. Such approaches make it impossible to achieve a harmonious life, let alone build a bodhimanda of the Six Harmonies. The fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia carries the mission of spreading the Pure Land teachings and leading beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. This is not merely a slogan; it is a path to be walked step by step. We must start with ourselves, increase our virtue, and work together to build a community of the Six Harmonies. Only then will we have the capacity to teach sentient beings and lead them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Let us encourage one another in this noble endeavour.

Namo Amituofo

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe