The True Heart of Practice

The Sincerity of the Heart

In the journey of spiritual practice, regardless of the relationships you maintain or the roles you play, you must ask yourself: Are you truly sincere? Can you genuinely let go of the attachments that weigh down your heart and commit yourself to authentic practice? When you witness the familiar touch of spiritual awakening, the stirrings within your heart are not accidental. They are a profound expression of your inner longing to find your true self. Yet, you may feel a sense of sorrow, lamenting that you are no longer in a position where you can easily cast aside your worldly burdens. The many entanglements of this world act as barriers, preventing you from wholeheartedly pursuing the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Do you feel this deep within your soul? After a long and weary journey, you have finally returned. The identity you hold in this lifetime is merely a temporary vessel. In truth, you are a practitioner who has been waiting through countless cycles of rebirth to return to this path. Being granted a human body in this life is a precious gift that you have been waiting for over many aeons. You must practise diligently so that you do not waste this rare opportunity. Namo Amituofo understands your heart, and the Buddha is fully aware of your hesitations and concerns. However, you must realise that the path of practice is one that you must walk yourself. No worldly matter—not even the deepest bonds of family or romantic love—can replace the necessity of your own spiritual cultivation. Ask yourself: How long have you been waiting for this day? When you look into your own heart, you will see just how exhausting the cycle of rebirth has truly been.

Breaking Free from the Cycle of Rebirth

We have shared a connection across many lifetimes of practice. Now that we have finally met in this life, you must cherish this encounter. Do not allow yourself to fall back into the cycle of rebirth, for the suffering therein is beyond description. This suffering is not merely your own; it is the shared agony of all sentient beings who are unable to find liberation. Why have you encountered so many unique challenges in this life? The trials you face regarding family relationships and the education of your children are, in essence, the karmic debts of the red dust of this world. These are not the paths you truly wish to walk, but since you have encountered these conditions, they serve as a necessary test in your process of growth.

In your past practice, you were once moved by worldly emotions, which led to mistakes that hindered not only your own progress but also the liberation of your fellow disciples, Dharma protectors, and followers. You became trapped in emotional entanglements, unable to break free. It is only in this lifetime that you have finally encountered the Pure Land path. The current trials you face with family and emotional ties may seem like a blessing, but they are also difficult hurdles. You must keep your heart firm. You must make a vow to transform these experiences into opportunities for deliverance. Do not let these emotional ties bind your true nature any longer. You must make this your final lifetime, bringing the cycle of rebirth to a definitive end.

The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

When you arrive at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, your heart knows the peace that resides here. You may not speak of it, but you understand that this is a pure place for practice—a sanctuary of stillness that cannot be found amidst the chaos of the world. This is the beginning of your connection. From this moment on, you must learn to serve the masses and learn how to deliver sentient beings. You must begin to lead others toward the light. This is something that cannot be achieved while remaining lost in the worldly red dust, nor can you find your true self there. If you remain trapped in worldly concerns, your heart will be bound and locked in suffering. Only by stepping out of these attachments can you return to your true, original heart—a heart that is no longer defined by the worldly self.

You have heard the most authentic voice within your heart. Now, you must adjust all aspects of your worldly life. You must know that you are beginning a life of true practice, and you must be willing to let go of everything that holds you back. You must realise that the dust of the world is illusory, while the purity of the Dharma is the only reality.

A Shared Path for Father and Son

Your father has also come to this place to practise. Although his initial motivation was to seek healing for his illness, he has also experienced a profound stirring within his heart. If both father and son can work together with one heart to transform this karmic cycle, you can both find liberation from the worldly life and your home environment. That would be a cause for great joy. The modern world is no longer simple, and it is not easy to maintain a pure heart. Only by learning the Buddha’s teachings can you make this life truly successful and give your existence real value. Doing something truly meaningful means engaging in spiritual practice and saving the world.

Your father weeps because his heart is moved by the sentient beings residing within him, and it is also the cry of his own true nature. The cycle of rebirth has lasted too long; it is time to resolve it and find liberation. Remaining in this world leads only to sickness, old age, and death. Only the Buddha’s teachings can heal the body and help you recover the value of life. This life is not long; you must find your true nature.

The Call to Save Beings

Supporting the spreading of the Dharma and practising Generosity—giving of yourself and letting go of worldly attachments—is your specific path. Performing Chao Du for your karmic creditors is an act of compassion. Making a vow to save all beings is the expansion of your mind-capacity. That you and your father have been able to come here is due to the causal conditions of past lives. You must grasp this opportunity, cherish it, and make a great vow to do great things. Join the ranks of those who, under the guidance of Namo Amituofo, are working to save the world. By seizing this opportunity in this lifetime, you can turn your karma around, find liberation, and escape the cycle of rebirth.

Your father’s suffering is not something he wishes for you to endure. You must find liberation. If you do not save beings, your own destiny will be difficult, for there is always karmic energy from past lives waiting for you. You are in a position to lead others, and you have a responsibility to teach sentient beings. If you only focus on the life of your own family, you will not be able to fulfil your potential, and your heart will remain bound. Furthermore, the beings residing within your own body will also suffer. I, Ashvaghosha, hope that both father and son will cherish this opportunity. Make the most worthwhile decision of your life: let go of the attachments to life and death, awaken, and dedicate yourselves to saving the world. Only then will this life be truly worth living. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi