The Path of Diligent Practice: A Discourse by Namo Amituofo
Recorded by Venerable Fa Hui
13 October 2023
The Essence of Diligent Practice
Diligent practice is one of the Six Paramitas—the six methods that allow us to reach the other shore and attain Buddhahood. These six methods are Generosity (Giving), Discipline (), Patience (Endurance), Diligent Practice, Meditation (Concentration), and Wisdom (Prajna). In truth, diligent practice is not only a vital gateway for walking the and achieving Buddhahood; it is also an indispensable process for any practitioner who wishes to continue moving forward and elevate the quality of their spirit.
The great Samantabhadra once offered a verse to warn all beings of the urgency of our situation:
- This day has already passed, and our lifespan diminishes accordingly.Like fish in a pond with dwindling water, what can there be in such a state?O assembly, you must practise with the urgency of one trying to extinguish a fire burning upon their own head.Always remain mindful of impermanence, and be careful never to become lax or indulgent.
This verse is a compassionate exhortation to all beings to be diligent while there is still time. Before one has successfully transformed their , impermanence strikes like a lion or a tiger, attacking at any moment. How many people can truly escape the relentless pressure of birth, aging, sickness, and death? Furthermore, how many can perceive the reality that impermanence is both unpredictable and illusory?
Overcoming the Roots of Suffering
How, then, should one practise diligently? The first priority for any practitioner is to overcome the —wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—which act as the five roots of the hells. We must also work to sever the : Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. These are the primary areas where a practitioner must focus their efforts.
You must also learn to overcome the various sensations of the body and the attachments that arise when your Six Roots interact with . Do not cling tightly to of liking or disliking, resentment, anger, or sadness. To be able to view these things with detachment, to see through them, and to let them go—this is the very definition of diligent practice.
Daily Lessons for Spiritual Growth
Your daily practice—prostrations, chanting Namo Amituofo, and reciting the Sutras—must be carried out with sincerity. This is how you prepare the necessary provisions for your spiritual journey at the start of each day. If you can overcome and improve upon states of or the tendency to drift into other spaces during your practice, then you have achieved success in your diligent practice.
Regarding your body, speech, and mind, you must focus on purification. Do not allow yourself to become stained again. Strive to do good, speak good, think good, and see good. Do not allow anger to arise; work to change your personality traits. When facing the aging and sickness of the body, do not retreat or engage in slander. Aging is not something that only happens to the elderly. When you feel that your physical strength is not what it once was, when your memory fades, or when your reactions slow down, these are all signs of aging. Aging is often accompanied by illness, which is a manifestation of karma, , and attached spirits.
The Path to Liberation
When you encounter these signs, you must repent quickly, engage in diligent prostrations, and focus on purification. Do not allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts or harmful intentions, as these fluctuations only intensify the manifestations of your karma, karmic creditors, and attached spirits. Listening to the Sutras and hearing the is the essential homework required to resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors. Resolving these conflicts through is an act of that saves both other beings and yourself. You must adjust your heart and actions, and never allow your faith in the Buddha to retreat. These are the common challenges faced by the students of Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. If you can improve in these areas, you have achieved success in your diligent practice.
Following the Footsteps of the Enlightened
In the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the , Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Sutra), there are many passages describing the diligence of when he was a monk seeking the Way and establishing his Forty-eight Great Vows. Although an uncountable amount of time has passed since then, the practice of still serves as a vital reference for us today. It shows that there is a clear path to follow in seeking the Dharma, purifying the mind, and achieving and Buddhahood. If you can follow this path with diligence, you will eventually succeed.
Furthermore, Practitioner Su is an awakened being of this age of the Dharma’s decline. The environment, the people, and the circumstances he faces, as well as his own journey to Awakening, are even closer to the reality of our lives today. When he gives lectures, he shares his own experiences and insights, which are worthy of everyone’s diligent study. By planting the seeds of pure goodness, you will surely reap the fruit of Awakening.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library