The Western Lotus: Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha

The Radiant Garden of the Western Land

The Western Lotus manifests within the magnificent Dharma-Nature Land of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This sacred realm is also known as the Land of the Golden Lotus, a place of unparalleled beauty and serenity. Within its vast borders, there exist immeasurable and boundless lotus flowers, each one a testament to the devotion of a practitioner. These lotuses are continuously nourished and sustained by the Eight Virtuous Waters found within the Seven-Jewel Pond, as well as by the profound merits generated through the diligent chanting and sutra recitation of their respective owners.

Every lotus begins its journey as a small, delicate bud. As long as the practitioner remains steadfast and fiercely diligent in their practice of chanting Namo Amituofo, the bud will gradually grow, unfolding its petals until it blossoms into a full, radiant flower. The colours of these lotuses are as diverse and unique as the aspirations and purity of the practitioners themselves. There are countless colours, vibrant, magnificent, and brilliant, yet they exist in perfect, harmonious order without any confusion. The lotus pond itself is a Dharma-Nature pond, possessing the miraculous ability to expand infinitely to accommodate the immeasurable number of Western Lotuses that bloom within it.

The Anatomy of Your Spiritual Practice

The composition of your Western Lotus is a direct and honest reflection of your inner state and the quality of your spiritual cultivation:

• The Petals: These are formed by the boundless compassion of the practitioner.
• The Seed Pod: This is generated by the profound wisdom of the practitioner.
• The Stem: This is supported by the great heart and great strength of the practitioner's chanting.

Because the six-syllable name, Namo Amituofo, resonates deeply with the heart of the practitioner, the lotus will grow strong, upright, and resilient if the chanting is sincere, consistent, and full of faith. However, if your faith is wavering, inconsistent, or clouded by doubt, the lotus will appear stunted, fragile, and struggle to grow. This is the subtle, profound, and unbreakable relationship between the practitioner and their Western Lotus.

The Mirror of the Soul

The lotus that arrives to greet a practitioner at the time of their rebirth is the very same lotus they have nurtured throughout their life. The lotus seat itself is manifested through the Ultimate Vows of Amitabha Buddha. If a practitioner diligently practises the Six Perfections, such as Generosity, their Western Lotus will grow lush, full, and vibrant. Conversely, if a practitioner's conduct harms their development or the Pure Land path, the lotus will inevitably wither.

• Greed: Causes the lotus to stop growing, leaving it weak, small, and diminished.
• Anger: Acts like a fierce fire that burns the forest of merits, leaving the lotus leaves scorched, damaged, and incomplete.
• Delusion: Causes the practitioner to lose faith in the Pure Land, leaving the lotus powerless, dull, and prone to wilting.

The appearance of your Western Lotus is a true manifestation of your practice. Just as the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss was built upon the great heart and great vows of Amitabha Buddha, your lotus is connected to you through the same inconceivable energy. This energy transcends time and space, reaching throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm, encompassing the six realms of existence and the Four Sacred Realms. It is a connection that is both invisible and limitless.

Signs of Growth and Stagnation

By observing the state of your Western Lotus, you can gain deep insight into the progress of your own practice:

• Fast and vibrant growth: Indicates a practitioner who is fiercely diligent and persistent.
• Large and luminous: Indicates a practitioner who is dedicated to learning and possesses both virtue and wisdom.
• Short and thin: Indicates a practitioner who has become lax, indulgent, or distracted.
• A tiny bud: Indicates a practitioner who has just begun their journey in Buddhism.
• Petals falling away: Indicates that the practitioner's vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss has weakened.
• Only the stem remains: Indicates that the practitioner has strayed far from the Pure Land and has ceased their chanting.

This is why it is vital for practitioners to have a virtuous teacher to guide and correct them, as one may often be unaware of their own shortcomings and the subtle ways their practice may be faltering.

The Dharma-Nature Land at Hsiang Kuang

Today, Practitioner Su, an awakened being at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, has established a Western Dharma-Nature Land. This sacred space is empowered by Amitabha Buddha to accommodate beings who have been helped by Practitioner Su to resolve their karmic conflicts and seek Spiritual Deliverance. These beings come from all directions, from the ten directions, the Milky Way, and various eras. Like the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, this place is free from the suffering of the hells, hungry ghosts, and the animal realm.

When these beings are invited into the Western Dharma-Nature Land, any physical suffering or disabilities they previously endured are healed. They are provided with nourishment and comfort. This is possible because Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body and vows are in sync with those of Amitabha Buddha. Because Practitioner Su’s mind-capacity is infinite, the Dharma-Nature Land is also infinitely vast. Every day, countless beings are guided here, demonstrating the magnificent power of this sanctuary.

Lotus Seats for All

Beings in this land are provided with their own lotus seats. Even those who have not yet learned to chant or do not fully understand Amitabha Buddha are given these pure, untainted lotus seats. These are manifested through the Buddha-heart and vows of Practitioner Su. Because Practitioner Su’s mind-capacity is boundless, these lotus seats can be manifested in infinite numbers. They are not limited by size or location, for Practitioner Su sees all beings as one, without discrimination or hierarchy. As beings listen to the teachings, they rest comfortably on these fragrant, soft, and pure lotus seats, waiting for the moment their own vows to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss mature.

A Call to Diligence

This process ensures that almost every being who enters the Western Dharma-Nature Land eventually enters the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Furthermore, if these beings begin to sincerely chant Namo Amituofo, a lotus will grow for them in the ponds of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, bearing their own name. This proves that the power of chanting transcends all limitations of time and space.

These are truly inconceivable events, a rare blessing for those connected to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su. We must be deeply grateful to Amitabha Buddha and Practitioner Su for their boundless compassion. I urge all disciples, especially those at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, to diligently nurture your own Western Lotus. Help it grow strong and upright so that when the day of return arrives, your lotus will come to welcome you home. Teach this art of nurturing the lotus to future generations, so that we may honour the grace of the Buddha and our teacher, Practitioner Su.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo