The Practice of Vows: Teachings from Namo Amituofo

The Foundation of the Western Pure Land

Namo Amituofo is revered as the King of Great Vows. This title is bestowed because every one of the Forty-eight Great Vows was successfully fulfilled, thereby establishing the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Through these vows, Namo Amituofo is able to lead infinite beings from the ten directions of the Dharma Realm to rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

Therefore, for those of you who are currently studying and practising the Pure Land path, it is essential to align your own actions with these Forty-eight Great Vows. By utilising your human body to facilitate the elevation of your spirit, you can establish the Western Pure Land within your own heart. This is the path to realising your true self and attaining Buddhahood.

The Three Provisions for Rebirth

In the teachings of Faith, Vows, and Practice, the importance of Vows and Practice cannot be overstated. A vow provides the necessary direction for your practice. When you have the guidance of a true spiritual friend, you are assisted in walking your path according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, ensuring that you do not deviate and that your wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land is fulfilled.

The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is not merely a destination for spirits; it is the ultimate hope for all beings who currently possess a human body. As long as you still draw breath, you must actively and diligently live according to your vows. Whether you reach Awakening or successfully achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land, this is the process of saving yourself. Therefore, as disciples of the Buddha, your first priority is to save yourself and achieve your own liberation before you can effectively save others.

The Example of Practitioner Su

Practitioner Su was able to reach Awakening and attain Buddhahood precisely because he put these teachings into concrete action. He ensured his vows were fulfilled, prioritising his own self-rescue before actively engaging in the work of saving infinite suffering beings. You should all take a moment to examine your own vows:

• Does this vow truly help you in your process of purification, becoming purer and more virtuous with each passing day?
• Does this vow assist you in finding your way back to your original, true self?
• Are you truly putting your vows into concrete, daily practice?

The Guidance of a True Spiritual Friend

At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su possesses a profound understanding of the spiritual capacity and the specific challenges faced by every member of the fourfold assembly. He serves as a true spiritual friend to you all. The reason we add the word "Great" to his title is that Practitioner Su is one who has reached Awakening and attained Buddhahood.

In his daily life and during his lectures, he has already provided you with the ultimate goal of Awakening. He has pointed out the major direction for changing your personality and habits, which should be your primary vow at this stage. By living according to this vow, your practice will surely progress. This is also the area where Namo Amituofo sees that you currently need the most improvement.

Transforming Personality and Habits

Your personality and habits are not new; they have existed since your past lives. If the environment and Causal Conditions are present in this life, they will naturally manifest. Once these habits have manifested and become a part of your personality, they cannot be changed overnight. However, this does not mean they are impossible to change. Once a negative trait manifests, you must immediately adjust it.

If you can prevent these habits from manifesting from a young age, you will naturally cultivate compassion and learn to follow the guidance of your teachers and elders with ease. By maintaining a state of purity under their leadership, you can avoid committing errors. To know your faults and correct them, and to never repeat them, is the reason why little novices are often able to reach Awakening and attain Buddhahood so quickly.

Practical Steps for Daily Practice

You should list your own personality traits and the obstacles that hinder your practice. Review them, improve upon them, and document concrete methods for your progress. Constantly review and correct your ways through the following practices:

• Listen to sutras and hear the Dharma without interruption: This keeps your mind aligned with the teachings.
• Invite spirits for resolution: Use the practice of Chao Du to resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors.
• Remove greed: This refers to the five desires—wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep. You must learn to curb these cravings.
• Do not give rise to anger: To stop anger, you must possess meditative concentration. By putting in the work to cultivate concentration, anger will naturally have no place to arise.
• Remove the ignorance that leads to creating karma and suffering: Change your thoughts and behaviours.
• Accept the counsel of true spiritual friends and fellow practitioners: Work diligently to resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors and perform Chao Du for them.

These are but a few examples of how to put your vows into practice, helping you to ensure that your vows are fulfilled. Namo Amituofo.