The True Meaning of Autonomy
Words of Namo Amituofo
Recorded by Venerable HaiZe on 20 January 2023
The Universal Yearning for Freedom
Every living being, whether existing in a state where -Mind-Spirit are united, or as a spirit existing without a physical form, shares a common, deep-seated aspiration. We all yearn to live our lives with true autonomy. We wish to wake up each day and live exactly as we desire, to pursue the activities that bring us , and to fulfil our intentions without hindrance. We long to be free from the heavy, invisible chains of that so often dictate our situations and prevent us from acting according to our own will. Ideally, we wish for a state where our hearts' desires are effortlessly realised.
In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, this state of perfect autonomy is not merely a dream; it is the fundamental reality of existence. How is this possible? It is because the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a realm constructed entirely upon the foundation of the true self and the Buddha-nature. It is a world manifested through the immense power of Namo Amituofo’s Forty-eight Great Vows.
A World Built on the Forty-eight Great Vows
Within this magnificent Buddha-land, which has been established by Namo Amituofo in accordance with His vows, every being is able to live the life they truly desire. Because the environment is perfectly aligned with the spiritual nature of each being, there is no conflict between one's will and the reality of the world. It is a place where the spirit can flourish, unburdened by the limitations of the physical world we know.
Perhaps a student might ask: "Namo Amituofo, is it truly possible that no being in that land wishes to do harm? In our human world, everyone has different desires. Some people, driven by their own selfish agendas, wish to steal, to rob, or even to commit acts that cause suffering to others and to themselves. How can a world exist without such conflict?"
The Purity of the Western Land
To this, Namo Amituofo replies: "The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a world where all the supreme, virtuous beings gather together. It is a realm of absolute purity and absolute Goodness. Within that space, there is only Goodness, without even the slightest trace of evil. There is only happiness, without even the slightest trace of suffering."
Because of this, those whose hearts are not pure or good, whose actions are not pure or good, and whose vows are not pure or good, are simply not in sync with that world. They cannot enter it. Even those who are reborn in the Western Land while still carrying karma—those who may still possess some impure habits or the "self," personal ego, and selfishness—are fundamentally changed by the environment. Because the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is a grand environment of absolute purity and Goodness, it does not allow any impure or evil thoughts to arise in the minds of its inhabitants. Therefore, even for those who are carrying karma, their impure habits and tendencies will never manifest.
Transforming in the Human World
In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, one is blessed with the time of infinite life and the illumination of infinite light. This provides the perfect conditions to practise, to realise one's true nature, and to attain Buddhahood. This is the magnificent, unique quality of the Western Land.
However, for those of us practising in the human world, the situation is quite different. Because we possess this physical body, we are constantly faced with the manifestation of karma. Therefore, a major part of our practice must be the cultivation of the heart. We must work diligently to:
- Transform our hearts into pure and good hearts.
- Transform our thoughts into pure and good thoughts.
- Transform our karma into pure and good karma.
By doing so, we eventually enter a state of no-mind, no-thought, and no-karma, allowing our hearts to become transparent and unstained. At the same time, a heart that has been purified can guide the body and spirit into a state of purity and Goodness. When you achieve this, you are not far from being an awakened being.
The True Meaning of Autonomy
Once you have realised your true nature, you have attained true autonomy. This autonomy is not the freedom to act on selfish whims or ego-driven desires. Rather, it is the freedom that comes from acting in perfect accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. It is a state of being that does not deviate, a state that is unified, upright, and honest. This is the true meaning of autonomy. Namo Amituofo.
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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