How many sentient beings are truly in need of salvation? Consider the sand upon the earth or the dust particles dancing in the air. Have you ever noticed them decreasing in number? The beings who require our help are as countless as these grains of sand and motes of dust. Even when a heavy rain falls, the air may feel momentarily refreshed, the dust is washed down to the ground, and the sand is dampened, providing a brief period of stillness. Yet, as soon as the sun emerges and the ground dries, the sand and dust are stirred up once more. They have never truly diminished.
There are those who understand the profound principle that a mustard seed can contain Mount Sumeru, and Mount Sumeru can be contained within a mustard seed. By the same logic, we must realise that every single grain of sand and every speck of dust possesses life and spiritual . One could even say that every particle is a universe unto itself, containing an infinite world within. Just because these particles appear infinitesimally small to human eyes does not mean the worlds within them are any less vast or significant. Every spiritual being residing within these particles is a potential recipient of the salvation offered during our Assembly. Perhaps, within those microscopic worlds, there exist your own ancestors, your past loved ones, or beings you have known in previous lifetimes. This truth has always existed; it does not change with the passage of time or the shifting of space. However, only a few are able to perceive this reality clearly. This is the infinite and wondrous nature of the Buddha’s teachings.
The Power of the Forty-eight Great Vows
The essence of the path lies in the Forty-eight Great Vows of and the majestic, transformative power of the name of Namo Amituofo. These are the keys that can guide all beings to rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. At this very moment, as the Pure Land teachings are being transmitted at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you should seize this precious opportunity. We encourage you to participate in hearing the Dharma and to join in the grand assembly of .
A Dharma Assembly requires both the one who performs the salvation and those who are to be saved. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the primary Dharma Assembly we conduct is the . The one who leads the ceremony is Namo Amituofo, and the one who guides the proceedings is Practitioner Su, who is currently here delivering lectures on the Dharma. The benefits of listening to these teachings are profound; you may feel a deep resonance in your heart as you listen. When you participate in the Dharma Assembly, you will find yourself undergoing a genuine transformation. Most importantly, you will be able to help countless beings attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is a noble achievement that no amount of worldly wealth could ever purchase.
The Compassionate Heart of the Practitioner
The value of a Dharma Assembly rests upon the Buddha-heart of the one who leads it. It is the manifestation of the Buddha-vow, the deep , and the profound aspiration to help all beings leave suffering behind and attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. When people think of their deceased relatives—especially their ancestors, parents, and loved ones—they naturally feel a sense of gratitude. They hope that through the Dharma Assembly, they can send these departed souls to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Others may seek to resolve the grievances they hold against their , hoping that the assembly will help dissolve the conflicts carried over from past lives, thereby alleviating physical pain or removing obstacles on their path to seeking the Dharma. These are the common relationships between those who are being saved and those who initiate the salvation.
Purifying and Mind
At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su and the fourfold assembly of disciples have come to understand a vital truth: the human body is composed of approximately fifty trillion cells, representing the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. Each of these cells carries the memories of our actions from past lives. They are the physical manifestation of the karmic causes and effects we have sown, and they are also the dwelling places of our karmic creditors. Therefore, your physical appearance, your health, your interpersonal relationships, and your worldly fortunes are all closely related to your and your deeds in past lives.
This is why the practice of —stopping your wandering thoughts, ceasing the arising of intentions, and letting go of all attachments—is the most effective method to cut off the cycle of karma and the retribution sought by your karmic creditors. Only after you have saved yourself can you take the next step to save others and help them attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This level of skill is not something that can be achieved overnight, yet it is one of the essential practices that Practitioner Su is actively striving to teach everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Path to Awakening and Buddhahood
If you wish to achieve success in your Pure Land practice, you must follow the guidance of a true spiritual friend. You must listen to the sutras, hear the Dharma, and work diligently to change your personality traits and habits. By using methods such as chanting Namo Amituofo, performing prostrations, and reciting the sutras, you can purify your body, mind, and spirit, thereby elevating the quality of your spirituality. Inviting spirits to resolve grievances and using the Dharma Assembly to help karmic creditors and loved ones attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is the ultimate path of salvation. These practices must be carried out in tandem, supporting one another to achieve the goal of teaching the fourfold assembly to realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood, while simultaneously helping all beings attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the sacred work currently being undertaken at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
From the beginning to the end of a Dharma Assembly, the heartfelt remembrance of the family members is transmitted through the process. While one may not always know if the deceased has received the merit or where they have gone, most people hold them in their hearts with and hope. However, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you can truly feel the changes within yourself. Whether it is the harvest gained from listening to the Dharma, the efficacy of inviting spirits to resolve conflicts, or the tangible experience of helping beings attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, all participants can personally experience these benefits. We are filled with gratitude for the compassionate manifestation of Namo Amituofo and the guidance of Practitioner Su.
We hope that more people who have the aspiration and the capacity to contribute to the success and transmission of the Pure Land teachings will join the ranks of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in saving the world and rescuing all beings.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe
