The Path of Practice: Teachings from Skanda Bodhisattva

The Harmony of Body and Mind

The essence of spiritual practice lies in the cultivation of the heart. When you successfully cultivate your heart, your physical body will naturally adjust and align itself. You should view the heart and the body as a single, unified entity. Only when they exist in a state of natural harmony can you face any external environment without experiencing internal conflict or contradiction. Ordinary people often find that their hearts and bodies are out of sync; the heart pulls in one direction while the body struggles in another. Because they cannot reach a consensus within themselves, a great deal of suffering arises. Consequently, on top of the natural karmic cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, they add layers of unnecessary karmic burdens. How, then, can one speak of true peace or liberation under such conditions?

Those who have realised their true nature possess a body that is entirely transparent, luminous, and radiant. This state is achieved because their body and mind are perfectly coordinated and flowing smoothly, without any blockages. In this state of natural, effortless flow, there are no obstacles. Because the heart is empty, the body becomes transparent.

The Process of Purification

Before the heart reaches this state of emptiness, one must diligently work to purify the karmic burdens that the heart carries. As you continue this work, your afflictions will gradually diminish, and your wisdom will begin to manifest. You will then gain the ability to communicate and coordinate with the cells of your body and with all other beings, allowing your body and mind to become unified and consistent. When your body and mind are no longer disturbed by the karmic interference of other beings, you will be able to see the external world with absolute clarity. Your doubts will fade, your wisdom will become increasingly bright, and the karmic forces of confusion will naturally recede. When your body and mind no longer resonate with any karmic conditions, that is the moment of Awakening. It is important to understand that these processes are merely a part of the journey of practice. For those who have realised their true nature, Awakening is simply a stage in the process. The work of saving the world and guiding beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss after Awakening is yet another beginning of the path of practice.

The Responsibility of the Teacher

For modern practitioners, it is common to take on the responsibility of teaching in this world before having fully realised their true nature. Often, before their Body-Mind-Spirit has been completely purified, and before they have fully understood the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, they receive the trust and support of Dharma protectors and followers. This makes it easy for them to deviate in their speech and conduct, or to lose their composure without even realising it. If, at this stage, they do not encounter a teacher or a master to provide guidance and correction, they will easily drift further and further away from the righteous path, eventually violating the Precepts.

Many practitioners, before the end of their lives, find their consciousness entering the hells to be judged and punished. After they pass away, they naturally continue to suffer retribution in hell. This is the reason for the saying that the gates of hell are often crowded with monks and practitioners. In the monastic traditions of the past, disciples were only permitted to accept requests for guidance or to give lectures after they had achieved clear Awakening. This was because if one’s teachings deviated from the righteous path and the Truth, or if one offered inappropriate advice, one would create the karma of speech, violate the Precepts, and suffer the consequences. One must be extremely cautious!

The Magnificent Environment of Hsiang Kuang

In this age of the Dharma’s decline, the Three Learnings of Precepts, Concentration and Wisdom have largely been lost or neglected. With the interference of demon crowds, misleading teachers are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River. Many followers, lacking clarity, follow these teachers blindly, leading to much chaos and a loss of the original intention of learning the Buddha’s teachings, practising, and achieving purification and Awakening. In this defiled world, Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is truly fortunate. With Namo Amituofo residing here and the guidance and training of Practitioner Su, who has realised his true nature, the primary goal remains the practice of Awakening. Practitioner Su is always ready to point out the shortcomings of the fourfold assembly and provide methods for improvement. Coupled with the protection of the Dharma protectors, the conditions here are far superior to any other environment for practice. The fourfold assembly should truly cherish such a magnificent environment. You must engage in diligent practice to rediscover your true self. Only then will you have the ability to save the world, to help Practitioner Su share his burdens, and to join Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su in saving beings and guiding them to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Ongoing Mission

The salvation team’s mission to save the Earth and the continuous chanting of Namo Amituofo while circling the globe remain ongoing. Furthermore, the work of inviting the spirits that have entered or attached themselves to Practitioner Su to leave is also continuing. Practitioner Su’s steps in saving the world never cease, and Skanda Bodhisattva and others follow to provide protection and support. Namo Amituofo. This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.