The Path to Enlightenment: Learning, Chanting, and Becoming a Buddha

This is a record of an interview with the Venerable Master Dixian, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his profound insights into the path of practice and the ultimate truth of the universe. Recorded by the disciple Shi Faxin on July 21, 2017.

Venerable Master Dixian speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Let us sit together and reflect: why have you chosen to learn Buddhism? Is it merely a search for a faith that brings a temporary sense of peace to your heart? If that is your intention, then we must go deeper. We must learn to anchor our hearts firmly within the sacred name of Namo Amituofo. When we investigate the source of our inner unease, we find that it is entirely of our own making. It begins with a single thought, a subtle pull of the mind, and before we know it, we are led further and further away from our true nature. Our thoughts become tangled, complex, and chaotic. This constant churning of body and mind makes it impossible for the heart to find true stillness.

The Restless Heart and the Anchor of the Buddha-Name

This is why it is so vital to remain constantly immersed in the Buddha-name. By maintaining a steady, balanced state, we stabilise both body and mind. Without this, the fluctuations of our thoughts will only serve as obstacles, hindering our progress in practice and our journey toward enlightenment. The ultimate goal of learning Buddhism is to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, allowing us to finally leave suffering behind and gain true happiness. Otherwise, it is a tragedy to waste this rare and precious human life on worldly pursuits that we cannot take with us when we pass. The Law of Cause, Condition, and Effect is absolute, and if you understand the cycle of rebirth, you will realise that everything is stored within the Alaya consciousness. You must learn to let go of this, the greatest of all sufferings.

The Terrifying Power of a Single Thought

The power of our thoughts is truly terrifying—it is beyond what most people can imagine. This is why we must learn to respect all living things, for every being, even a single grain of sand, is a manifestation of spirit. If we do not hold firmly to the Buddha-name, our thoughts will lead us into the ten realms of existence. We might find ourselves reborn as that very grain of sand in the future, or perhaps we were that grain in the past. This is the stark truth of the universe and human life. In my past life, when I lectured on the sutras, my words were like pearls of wisdom, but it was only here, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, that the ultimate truths were fully revealed to me. I used to counsel people to chant and to leave suffering behind, but I did not possess the clarity I have now. It is only through the blessings of the Buddha that I can speak these truths today.

A Call to Action for the Human Life

The Dharma Realm is vast—where does our spirit truly belong? For those who have not learned Buddhism, the suffering of the cycle of rebirth and the final destination of life remain a mystery. They believe that the pleasure of the moment is all there is, and they do not wish to contemplate what comes after death. If one truly thinks this way, then it is a great pity to have attained this human body! Though we often call this body an 'illusory body,' it is a vessel we have earned through countless lifetimes of practice. Now, in this worldly realm, we must use it to its fullest potential. We must use it to guide ourselves, our past karmic creditors, and countless other beings to chant Namo Amituofo and escape the cycle of rebirth. This human life is not a wasted gift. I, Dixian, urge you all: you must learn Buddhism, chant Namo Amituofo, and become a Buddha. Namo Amituofo."