The Path of Learning and Awakening
Teachings from Lay Practitioner Li Bingnan
Recorded on January 28, 2019
Expanding the Horizons of the Heart
To truly learn, one must first widen one's mind-capacity. In this world, it may seem that no one is related to you, yet in truth, you are connected to every single being. The difference lies entirely in your mindset. Throughout the history of the path of practice, from ancient times to the present day, we have heard many stories, such as that of Practitioner Su and the one thousand one hundred and sixty-two venerable ones. How can one achieve success in practice if one is constantly comparing oneself to others?
Most genuine progress occurs within the temple, where even in the midst of group cultivation, one must walk the path with a focused and solitary heart. By witnessing the suffering of all beings and relying on one's own sincere vow, one can work diligently to achieve success. This requires breaking through the barriers of one's own ego and realising that all beings share a single, unified heart.
The Boundless Unity of All Beings
Every single thing in the universe shares the same original nature as you. Therefore, saving other beings is, in essence, saving yourself. There is no high or low, no superior or inferior. When you reach this state of understanding, the suffering of all beings becomes your own suffering, and the of all beings becomes your own joy. By following the path of right faith and right understanding in Buddhist education, you can help others discover the of Ultimate Bliss. When they make the vow to be reborn in the West and eventually succeed, only then can your own life be considered complete. When all beings are fulfilled, you are fulfilled as well. How could one not be filled with joy and constant happiness?
from the Dream of Samsara
Beings often desire things without realising that there is anything improper in their attachments. They do not see the signs of suffering, they do not develop , and they do not learn about the terrifying nature of impermanence. They do not know that they are trapped in the cycle of rebirth, mistakenly believing that this is how life is meant to be. They do not realise that they have already passed through countless lifetimes in this same state. Life after life, they accept this as the norm, unaware that they can escape. Everyone must learn to leave suffering behind.
A Sanctuary for the Fragrant Light
The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre provides the necessary support for your practice, offering both sustenance and shelter. It is a place where one can become an awakened being. If you are a student of the Dharma, you should come here, practise diligently, and you will certainly reap the rewards. There is no need to suffer; it is only the cycle of rebirth that is truly painful. There is no need to seek worldly pleasures; the joy of rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the only true happiness. When your skills are perfected, your practice becomes meaningful. To realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood is a rare opportunity, yet you have encountered it.
The Radiant Path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
Being a human is full of suffering, yet many do not know they must awaken. To realise that there is no birth is to realise that there is no death. The greatest affliction is ignorance, where one accepts the suffering of the various realms as the natural state of existence. If you continue to engage in impure actions without reflection, you will regret it when your life comes to an end. The suffering of the Three Evil Realms cannot be borne by anyone else on your behalf. Throughout your many lifetimes of birth and death, you have wandered through the three paths; where will you go now? Fortunately, you have learned of the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. There is much work to be done, but now you know the way. Take the Pure Land as your foundation, keep your heart focused on Namo Amituofo, and let the lotus be the symbol of your practice. If you irrigate it with diligence, the lotus will bloom, you will become an awakened being, see Namo Amituofo, and achieve success in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library