Throughout history, countless individuals have embarked on the path of learning the Buddha's teachings, and many have attained the supreme fruit of Buddhahood. When we look at the transmission of the , we can divide it into three distinct periods: the Age of the True Dharma, the Age of the Semblance Dharma, and the current age of the Dharma's decline. The circumstances for learning and attaining Buddhahood differ significantly across these eras. These divisions begin from the time of Shakyamuni Buddha and are shaped by various factors, including the historical context, the methods of practice, the distribution and transmission of the Dharma, the teaching styles of different schools, the conduct of monastics in saving beings, and the sincerity of the fourfold assembly of disciples.
Today, we find ourselves in the age of the Dharma's decline. While there are many who study the Buddha's teachings, those who truly realise their true nature, attain Buddhahood, and achieve rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss are extremely rare. Why is this the case? To understand this, we must examine the four essential stages of cultivation: Faith, Understanding, Practice, and Realisation.
The Sacred Foundation of Faith
Faith is the source of the Way and the mother of all virtues. This means that faith is the origin from which all great paths of cultivation begin; it is the foundation upon which one accumulates merit and virtue. To succeed in your practice, you must possess three types of faith: faith in yourself, believing that you possess the inherent Buddha-nature; faith in the Buddha, trusting in the wisdom and of ; and faith in the Dharma, having complete confidence in the specific method you are practising.
Believing that you are a Buddha is the most fundamental spirit of Buddhist practice. Because we have been lost in the cycle of rebirth for countless lifetimes, our pure, original nature has been covered and polluted by layers of ignorance. Through the process of purification and learning, you can recover this lost Buddha-nature. More importantly, at this very moment, you must be willing to step forward and save the sentient beings with whom you have a karmic affinity. This is the vital spirit of Buddhism—it is not merely about seeking your own liberation, but about saving others as well. However, if you look around today, how many practitioners truly believe in themselves? How many truly believe in the Buddha? How many have personally realised their own liberation and possess the genuine ability to save sentient beings with karmic affinity?
The Profound Depth of Understanding
The stage of Understanding involves the ability to study and delve deeply into the Buddha's teachings. Often, during the learning process, you may encounter points that are unclear or difficult to grasp. When you seek answers, the quality of the response you receive, the ability of the teacher to point out your blind spots, and the depth of their own cultivation will significantly influence your willingness to continue learning and your enthusiasm for the path.
A fundamental principle for both the learner and the one providing guidance is to acknowledge what you know and admit what you do not know. The Buddha's teachings are distinct from worldly knowledge. If you wish to realise your true nature, you must not become attached to names, words, or verbal descriptions, as Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju has often reminded us. True understanding arises naturally; it is a state of being spontaneously enlightened, inspired, and awakened. This is an inherent ability of your original nature. The manifestation of your true self cannot be achieved through rote memorisation or competitive academic study. It is entirely different from the pursuit of worldly knowledge or common information.
The Unwavering Path of Diligent Practice
Practice is perhaps the most critical stage in achieving success in Buddhist cultivation. Both Faith and Understanding must be channelled through the gateway of Practice. You must move forward directly, with diligent practice that never ceases, to receive the benefits of the Dharma. Whether you are a teacher or a student, you must achieve success through practice to have any opportunity to reach . Through continuous action—taking it one step at a time, one footprint at a time—you will constantly gain insights. By learning through practice and gaining wisdom through these insights, you will develop the true skills of cultivation and enter the stage of Realisation.
In today's world, where there is a frantic search for novelty, speed, and innovation, many people lose the precious insights that can only be gained through a grounded, step-by-step approach. It is truly a pity to miss the opportunity to clear away long-standing confusion and ignorance simply because one is unwilling to walk the path with steady, honest effort.
The Natural Blossoming of Realisation
Realisation is the ultimate result of Buddhist practice. Every aspect of this process occurs naturally. Eating, dressing, sleeping, and walking are all natural; compassion, , and the ability to let go are all natural. The Six Paramitas of the Bodhisattvas—Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligence, Meditation, and Wisdom—are not performed out of forced effort. They arise naturally from the heart. You learn within this natural state, and your wisdom grows within it. Every event becomes an opportunity to gain insight. In this way, your true nature will manifest from within the natural order, and you will see your true self within that natural state. To realise your true nature is to attain Buddhahood. Those who achieve this through the Pure Land method of chanting the Buddha's name must have attained the .
Realising your true nature is merely another beginning. Those who have realised their true nature possess Prajna wisdom—a wisdom that is empty of conceptual knowledge, yet knows everything. Within their hearts, a natural compassion for the suffering of sentient beings arises. They remain cautious and diligent, never daring to slacken in their efforts to save beings and serve the world. They use this physical body to serve the masses, acting without the sense of a "self" that is acting. Everything they do is for the sake of saving the world and helping others. Every move they make is a demonstration—a demonstration of Faith, Understanding, Practice, and Realisation; a demonstration of attaining Buddhahood through Buddha-recitation; a demonstration that the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss truly exists; and a demonstration of the perfect, all-encompassing method of chanting Namo Amituofo.
A Rare and Precious Opportunity
Why are those who realise their true nature so rare in this age of the Dharma's decline? Why is it that we require the dual-power method of Pure Land Buddha-recitation to succeed? It is because, in the process of Faith, Understanding, Practice, and Realisation, many people give up halfway when faced with various tests. Ask yourself: can you pass through these tests with peace of mind? Or are you standing still, or even retreating? Regardless of the situation, even if you have made mistakes or encountered setbacks, you must summon the perseverance to continue. You must be brave enough to face every obstacle and overcome your own personal ego and habits. Most importantly, you must not be attached to the "self." If you blindly believe that your own are correct and others are wrong, or if you engage in blind, misguided practice, you will not only fail to realise your true nature, but you may also fall into wrong paths, thereby harming your own and wisdom-life.
To all the disciples at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, whether you are monastics or lay practitioners, the various situations of Faith, Understanding, Practice, and Realisation mentioned above are unfolding right before your eyes. With the support of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, Practitioner Su, and many other Dharma protectors, you have the perfect timing, the right environment, and the right people. This is a rare and precious opportunity to realise your true nature. You must truly cherish and grasp this chance!
