The Path to Buddhahood
Teachings from Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu
Recorded on September 1, 2018
Namo Amituofo. I am Lay Practitioner Huang Nianzu, a name many of my dear friends in my later years affectionately shortened to Elder Huang. Today, through the kind guidance of Practitioner Su, I have been granted this precious opportunity to sit with you all and share some reflections from my heart.
A Life Dedicated to the
From my earliest childhood, I possessed a strong and unyielding character. My mother, wishing to temper my spirit and guide me toward the right path, placed me under the tutelage of my uncle, Lay Practitioner Mei Guangxi. It was through his guidance that I first encountered the sacred sutras and began my lifelong study of the Buddha’s teachings. My life spanned a period of immense historical transformation. I lived through the turbulence of constant conflict, the gradual stabilisation of our nation, and the personal challenges of academic growth, the study of esoteric traditions, family relocations, professional teaching, the destruction wrought by the Cultural Revolution, and the persistent weight of physical illness.
The Sacred Mission of the Infinite Life Sutra
After my family relocated, I was introduced to Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and I became his inner-chamber disciple. I had the honour of listening to him explain the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the , Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Sutra), and as I took notes, I felt a profound realisation: in this age of the Dharma’s decline, the only path to save sentient beings from their endless suffering is to chant the name of Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss. I became diligent and persistent in my practice. Every word I spoke, every line I wrote, and every insight I gained was recognised and verified by my teacher. He entrusted me with the mission to propagate and elucidate this sutra. Accepting this sacred task, I pored over countless sutras and commentaries, eventually entering a period of seclusion to translate and annotate the Commentary on the Infinite Life Sutra, ensuring that this precious teaching would be preserved for future generations.
The Unbroken Chain of Chanting
During my time in seclusion, I felt the sharp sting of physical suffering and the urgent, burning desire for rebirth in the Western Pure Land. I practised the method of continuous, focused chanting, reciting the name of Namo Amituofo one hundred and forty thousand times every single day. I kept the name of Namo Amituofo flowing without interruption, leaving no space for delusions or messy thoughts to enter my mind. I chanted even in my sleep. I reached a state where my practice became a single, unbroken stream of concentration. I reached a state of , where only the present moment existed—and eventually, even that sense of the present dissolved. On the day I emerged from seclusion, even when I stumbled, the chanting never ceased. In the end, it was my own chanting that saved me; I was led by the Buddha to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Witnessing the True Power of Practice
The Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra), which represents the life’s work of my teacher, is now being brought to life through Practitioner Su. We can see the true, tangible benefits that come from having faith, accepting the teachings, and putting them into practice! Being honest and listening to the Buddha’s instructions are the fundamental conditions for learning Buddhism. Practising with sincerity and working hard to cultivate one’s nature are the only ways to truly become a Buddha. When these two are combined, they create the inconceivable achievements we see today in the work performed by Practitioner Su’s . She is truly a devoted student of our teacher! To ensure the transmission of the Pure Land method of purification and , and to continue the work of performing Chao Du for sentient beings, she has laboured silently at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. She has cultivated several monastics who have taken the great vow to shave their heads and enter the monastic life, and she leads dozens of lay practitioners in weekly and daily morning walking meditation to help sentient beings be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This work has never once been interrupted. I am filled with deep admiration for this dedication.
Enduring the Tests of the Path
The path to Buddhahood is paved with various trials, testing our alignment with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way:
- Buddha-tests:
- Challenges to see if our faith remains steadfast.Demon-tests:
- Obstacles designed to distract us from the right path.Sentient-being tests:
- Opportunities to test our and patience.Body-tests: The physical trials that test our resolve and endurance.
These tests are constant, grinding away at our vows, our compassion, and our mind-capacity. They examine whether we are truly practising to save ourselves and to save all sentient beings. Many of the experiences involved in this process are beyond what an ordinary person can understand or endure. Yet, Practitioner Su has overcome them one by one! It is because of this that we have the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre today, a place where Namo Amituofo truly abides, and where all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors watch over and support the centre. It is truly worthy of praise!
A Precious Stepping Stone to the Western Pure Land
Today, the sacred land of Hsiang Kuang, following the compassionate vows of Namo Amituofo, seeks to build the Village. This vast expanse of land serves as a stepping stone for countless sentient beings before they are reborn in the Western Pure Land! This is now a reality manifesting in the lives of people. It is designed to benefit those who wish to fulfil their dream of rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Those who come to live here can not only draw close to the great teacher, Practitioner Su, but can also join the monastics and lay practitioners in the centre to engage in diligent daily practice, including prostrations, chanting, and reciting the sutras. It is an excellent environment for Pure Land practice. When the time comes for one’s life to end, one can receive the blessing of Chao Du from Practitioner Su and be sent to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a precious land for rebirth in the West. I hope that many fellow practitioners, no matter where you come from, will know that the Amitabha Village opens its arms to welcome you. Let us all work together with one heart to build and reside here. This place is a Pure Land on earth. Namo Amituofo.
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