The Sacred Work of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

The Illusion of the World and the Stillness of the Heart

Disciple: Namo Amituofo. O Buddha of great compassion, you who pity the endless suffering of all beings, I pray that you may let fall the rain of the Dharma, bestowing its sweet dew upon us all.

Words of Namo Amituofo: You often find yourself caught between the past and the future, worrying about what has been and what is yet to come. In doing so, you lose your grip on the present moment, and your efforts remain incomplete. You are constantly trying to manage one thing while neglecting another, and it is difficult to achieve a state of wholeness.

There is no such thing as a perfect situation in this world. The only way to find peace is to steady your heart and bring it into balance. Appearance arises from the mind; everything you perceive is a reflection of your internal state. All things are born from Causal Conditions, and these conditions themselves have no inherent, permanent nature. Therefore, we say that our Body, Speech, and Mind are but a phantom existence.

The Path of True Practice and Self-Reflection

Do not waste time debating whether the Dharma is true or false. Instead, face it with sincerity and stop arguing about right and wrong. Nothing in this world is permanent, so why must you compare yourself to others or strive to be higher than them? What is the difference between being in the world and transcending it? It lies only in where you place your heart.

When your heart is tossed by waves of emotion, a hundred illnesses arise. You must wash your heart clean before the Buddha. If you can do this, you will find freedom in your daily life. How much money can truly buy back a single life? When you stand before the King of the Underworld, all your wealth will be of no use. Ask yourself: how long is this life? It is merely a few decades of food and clothing. Use this time to attain the light of your true self.

Aside from the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, all other times should be spent in this way: recite with caution and respect, and your heart and eyes will become clear. Your karmic creditors will eventually be able to let go of their resentment. Practitioner Su stands in this world as a guardian, and now, he seeks to bring order to the Demon Realm.

The Sacred Mission of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Even those in the Demon Realm have the potential for rebirth and transformation. Today is not like the past; Namo Amituofo is here to save all beings. If you are stained by the habits of a lifetime, look back at your past. You may have once been an eagle, soaring between heaven and earth, spreading your wings to fly against the rocky cliffs. You may have built a nest on the highest peak, watching the sun and moon rise and set, eventually realising the truth of no-birth.

You must cherish this human life. To realise your true self and move freely through the Dharma Body is the only way to truly repay the kindness of the Buddha and your teachers. Embrace the Truth with Compassion, Joy, and Selfless Giving. When you are free from the ego and the sense of self, you will find that all things in the universe are one with your true self.

Compassion for All Beings, Including the Demon Realm

When the light suddenly appears within your confusion, you must ensure that greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt do not take root. Remind yourself of this daily, and keep the Precepts every day. See all children of the world as your own children, and all parents of the world as your own parents. How can there be conflict between husband and wife? There should only be mutual discussion of the Dharma. How can there be the hatred and love of men and women? There should only be the respectful bowing of Bodhisattvas.

If there is a difference between you and another, it is merely a sign of the obstacles of reincarnation. The most powerful thing you can do is to recognise your mistakes and correct them. Your personal ego and selfishness create all kinds of karma. Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses. Learn from the strengths of others and praise them, but do not dwell on their shortcomings. Like the wind blowing away, let those faults vanish. Respect one another and keep each other on the right path.

Returning to the Western Pure Land

If you encounter the suffering of confusion and karma, grit your teeth and endure it day by day. Reflect upon yourself and ask: "Who is this being?" The suffering you experience now is a hundred thousand times less than what you would suffer in the lower realms. If people praise you, keep your head low; if people criticise you, receive it with gratitude. To change is not just to speak of it; you must put it into practice through Faith, Understanding, and Realisation. Once you have realised the truth, you will be clear and calm amidst all things and all appearances.

There is only one mission to uphold in this world: to save beings and guide them to the Western Pure Land. This is the work of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and it is not a task that everyone can undertake. The disciples of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre have walked a long path and faced many trials. Yet, one by one, you have overcome every difficulty. Practitioner Su leads you with steadfast determination, a quality rarely seen in this universe. Those who have awakened are like this. I hope you will all share in this journey, riding the wind and waves to calm the turbulent waters.

The demon crowds are subdued because they have no heart of their own; they too possess the same true self. It is only because of the deviation in their Body, Speech, and Mind that they are lost. One day, they will turn back and attain their golden body—a priceless body that can travel ten thousand miles. You have been lost in the darkness for a long time, but the Buddha’s compassion has revealed a ray of hope. I am guiding you, my lost children, to return home, to return together to our original home in the Western Pure Land.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.