The Wisdom of Accepting Correction in the Present Moment

The Courage to Accept Guidance

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

When someone offers you well-intentioned advice, are you able to accept it immediately? Or, because of your ego, do you feel the need to protect your face, pushing their kindness away? When someone clearly points out your faults, can you accept this feedback instantly with a heart full of gratitude? Or do you instinctively resort to self-protection, offering explanations, making excuses, or even engaging in rebuttal?

You must understand that when you are at fault, you are often blinded by your own delusions. You cannot see the problem clearly. In such states of ignorance, you may unknowingly create negative karma or even offend others. This is precisely why your spiritual achievements and your practice remain stagnant. You are trapped by the very ego that prevents you from seeing the truth.

Clearing the Clouds of Delusion

In this highly competitive society, your pure heart is easily covered by layers of dust. It becomes obscured by the Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, as well as the wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep that dominate the world. Because of these influences, you lose your original nature of contentment and goodness. You lead a life that relies heavily on external material comforts, and as a result, you become deeply polluted. It becomes difficult for you to see your own true nature clearly.

The Essential Path of Purification

In the Pure Land school, purification is the most important priority. Your daily practice is the foundation of this process. To purify your body, heart, and spirit, you must rely on these fundamental methods:

• Prostrations: Bowing to the Buddha with complete sincerity.
• Chanting Buddha's name: Reciting the Buddha-name with a focused and pure heart.
• Recite the Sutras: Reading the sacred texts to align your mind with the wisdom of the Buddhas.

By practising these daily with diligence and consistency, you will surely see progress. Do not let a single day pass without taking the opportunity to purify yourself and move forward on the path.

Practising in the Present Moment

When you perform prostrations, be fully focused on every movement and every single recitation of the Buddha-name. When you are walking while chanting, ensure that every syllable of the Buddha-name is clear and distinct. Pay close attention to every step you take. If you can combine this with visualization, you will be able to nurture your compassion and ensure that not a single second is wasted.

When you recite the Sutras, do not get caught up in intellectualizing the meaning of the words. Instead, let every word be clear and distinct. Simply recite one word and one sentence after another. This is what we call practice in a deep meditative state.

Turning Obstacles into Growth

If, during your daily practice, you find yourself becoming drowsy or entering a state of mental wandering, you may be corrected by those in charge—perhaps through a verbal reminder or a physical tap. You should accept this correction immediately and with a heart full of gratitude. If you can maintain this attitude, you will be able to wake up and continue your morning service with renewed focus.

However, if you allow delusions and resentment to arise in your heart, your practice will be difficult to sustain. You will easily fall back into a state of drowsiness or mental wandering. Once you understand this situation, the fourfold assembly must be able to see clearly, transform their mindset, and make the necessary changes.

If a practitioner can train their heart when facing such situations and accept correction in the present moment, they will be able to improve immediately. The fourfold assembly should understand this clearly and act accordingly.

Namo Amituofo