Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
In this world of the Five Turbidities and Evil World, it is truly difficult to maintain a pure heart. We are surrounded by the and , which permeate our entire environment. Especially when living within the secular world, we inevitably become stained by various aspects of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness. These are the habits we have cultivated over countless lifetimes, and they act as heavy veils upon our true nature.
The Burden of Ego and Habits
When you enter into the path of practice, you must work diligently to remove these various aspects of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness. Why is this so critical? Because these habits are forms of pollution. They are an integral part of our , and they serve as significant obstacles to your spiritual progress. True practice is the process of cleansing this pollution, returning to a state of purity, and engaging in the vital work of transforming your karma.
It is not easy to find a sanctuary in this world where one can truly focus on practice. Even if you are fortunate enough to find such a place, you still require the guidance of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, or a true spiritual friend. Only through their compassionate direction can you clearly recognise your own faults and improper behaviours. Only then can your practice truly advance.
The Struggle of Worldly Practice
Without such guidance, many practitioners find themselves caught in a cycle of advancing and retreating. Often, the retreat is greater than the advance. In the context of our limited human lifespan, it becomes exceptionally difficult to achieve the ultimate goal of . We are like travellers lost in a storm, struggling to keep our footing while the winds of karma push us backward.
The Magnificent Promise of the Western Land
However, if you are able to enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, your journey changes entirely. Upon entering that realm, you are embraced by the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo. The twentieth vow, the Vow of Reception at the Time of Death, explicitly states: "When the time of death approaches, I, along with the assembly of Bodhisattvas, will appear before you. In the blink of an eye, you will be born into my land and attain the state of an Avaivartika ."
Avaivartika is the Sanskrit term for "non-retrogression." An Avaivartika Bodhisattva is equivalent to a Bodhisattva of the seventh stage or higher. This means that once you reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, your practice will only move forward; you will never again slide backward. Even those who are "carrying karma" to be reborn in the Western Land enjoy the same level of achievement as these high-level Bodhisattvas.
The Three Types of Non-retrogression
In that magnificent realm, you will attain the three types of non-retrogression:
Position Non-retrogression: This means your spiritual rank will never decline. You will remain firmly established in the stages of the , such as the Ten Dwellings, Ten Practices, Ten Dedications, Ten Grounds, and the stage of Equal Awakening.
Practice Non-retrogression: This means your diligent practice will never falter. In the pure, One-Vehicle realm of the Western Land, you will never retreat into the path, which seeks only personal liberation. Instead, you will always possess the and the vow-power to save all beings and help them leave suffering behind.
Thought Non-retrogression: This means that every single thought you have will be in sync with the Buddha. Your mind will remain in perfect harmony with the wisdom and compassion of Namo Amituofo at all times.
This is truly an inconceivable state. It is a magnificent privilege granted by the power of Namo Amituofo’s Great Vows. It is precisely for this reason that beings in all other Buddha-lands rejoice and aspire to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to continue their practice. May you cherish this opportunity, hold fast to your faith, and let the light of Namo Amituofo guide you home.
