The Power of the Vow-Mind
Teachings from National Master Xianshou
Recorded on November 19, 2017
The Union of Vow and Power
When you possess a sincere vow, you possess true power. This is the union of the Buddha-vow and the Buddha’s power. When these two forces—your own vow and the infinite strength of Namo Amituofo—are combined and calculated together, they are ultimately one and the same. They function as a single, unified force, rising together in a magnificent display of spiritual energy. When you align your heart with this truth, you will find that your practice is truly effective.
You must understand the importance of this alignment. If you are distant from this connection, your progress will be slow. The vow acts as the guiding principle of your life; all other aspects of your practice will follow this lead. Each of us must take responsibility for our own capacity, carrying the weight of our practice with diligence and sincerity.
The Ripple Effect of the Vow
A vow is like a ripple in the vast ocean of the Realm. Once this ripple is sent forth, there will be those who receive it. Each being will respond according to their own . When you gather the strength of this ripple—when your vow is great and the wave is powerful—it will shake the very foundations of suffering. This is the power that emerges from a heart dedicated to the truth.
Whether through or the power of Namo Amituofo, you will naturally receive assistance. In the vast, boundless crowd of beings, we are all supporting one another as we walk this path. Now is the time to break through your limitations and engage in diligent practice. You must let go of the concept of a self and forget all your attachments. This is the only moment that truly matters; there is no other time. The past is gone, the future has not arrived, and even the present is merely a variable that changes from moment to moment.
Overcoming the Obstacles of Self-Interest
You must remain firm in your resolve. Do not let anything shake your determination. When you act for the sake of all beings, you will inevitably encounter external obstacles. This is a common phenomenon, a general direction that the world takes. Most people are driven by self-interest, seeking only to fulfill their own desires:
- They seek to satisfy their own personal wishes.
- They seek to benefit their own family members.
- They seek to gratify their own attachments and loves.
This has become a habit, a standard way of living. If you wish to help the confused masses, you must guide them back to the right path and the right vow. To have a right heart and right power, you must have a vow. You must remind yourself of this daily, ensuring that you do not stray into biased or narrow paths.
The Purity of the Buddha-Heart
This is not about excluding others; it is simply about understanding the truth. What is common for people is not necessarily correct. If you continue to follow the path of the masses, you will only pass on the same errors from one generation to the next. How then can you achieve your goal? How can you manifest the truth? The truth is difficult to attain because it requires you to let go of the false and embrace the real.
There is no power that can force you to change unless you let go yourself. You must never forget why you made this vow in the beginning. The power of a vow is inconceivable; it can penetrate the sun and moon, it can awaken the past and the future, and it can break through the deepest darkness. You must be immediate in your practice. Do not add any doubts, and do not allow other intentions or thoughts to arise.
The Path to Rebirth
Any other intention is a bias. The vows of worldly people are often for their own private gain. To be truly effective, you must have a heart that is focused on one thing alone. You must be single-minded and dedicated, without any other thoughts. This is ; this is the Buddha-heart; this is the Buddha-vow; this is the Buddha-action.
Your vow should follow Namo Amituofo, without any other distractions. Every vow you make should be for the sake of all beings, to save them from the ocean of the Saha world. Your actions should be Buddha-actions, with no other purpose. If there is even a single thread of self-interest, it becomes a mixture of impurity and illusion. How can you be selfless? Only through compassion. The power of this is inconceivable. If your heart is transparent and free of obstacles, guided by your vow, you will surely succeed.
With Namo Amituofo as your only focus, you will gain true strength. The is attained only through purity. How do you live by your vow? By putting it into action. My vow is that all beings may leave suffering behind and be reborn in the Western Pure Land. I wish for everyone to reach that land, all connected to Namo Amituofo within the Dharma realm of emptiness. This is my vow, this is my mission, and this is the connection I share with you. May all beings become one with the Buddha. Namo Amituofo is always present, forever circling within your heart.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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