The Urgency of Transformation and Correction

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Urgency of Spiritual Transformation

If you realise that you have committed a fault, you must correct it immediately. When you become aware of a thought that is not in line with the truth, you must transform it right at that very moment. Do not allow these negative patterns to linger, for if you delay, they will quickly solidify into deep-seated habits. You must stop the creation of negative causes without hesitation. If you need to transform your mind, do so with speed and decisiveness. Do not let procrastination turn your errors into a permanent part of your character.

We have already created countless amounts of negative karma throughout our many lifetimes. Because of this, we suffer the consequences of these actions at any given time. Our erroneous views and distorted understandings, combined with our stubborn attachments and constant discriminations, often remain hidden until they are finally brought to light. By then, they have become deeply rooted within us, making them incredibly difficult to extract.

The Path to Awakening

If you are a sincere practitioner, there is no room for excuses. The path of practice is simple: you must be able to transform your mind and correct your behaviour. Only through this process can you make genuine progress and eventually reach the state of an awakened being. You must strive to quickly cut off the various afflictions that cloud your mind, including your confusion, your attachment to the self, and your worldly desires. If you find that you are not yet able to completely sever these afflictions, you must at least be able to suppress them. To keep your afflictions suppressed so that they no longer cause disturbance is a significant achievement, but to be able to completely cut them off is the mark of great wisdom.

The Alaya Consciousness and the Cycle of Rebirth

The personality traits, temperaments, and negative karmic connections that you have not corrected in this life do not simply disappear when you pass away. Instead, they are stored within your Alaya consciousness as negative karma. When you reincarnate, these seeds follow you into your next life. If these old personality traits and temperaments manifest again, you will inevitably continue to form new negative connections with others, perpetuating the cycle of suffering.

Purification in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss

Fortunately, we have the compassionate vow of Namo Amituofo, which allows us to carry our karma and be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Your Alaya consciousness is essentially your true self. Once you enter the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, even though you may still carry these old personality traits and temperaments, you will no longer have the environment or the conditions for them to manifest. They will not disappear instantly, but they will be rendered inactive.

By residing in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, surrounded by the Infinite Life, Infinite Light of Namo Amituofo, you will continue your practice in a perfect environment. As you progress, your negative karma will naturally be eliminated, and your personality and temper will fade away along with that karma. Your lotus grade will increase, and you will continue to advance until you finally become a Buddha. Namo Amituofo.