Before a can attain the supreme state of Buddhahood, they must first bring the Six Perfections to full maturity. These are the foundational pillars of the spiritual path:
Generosity (Giving): Giving of oneself, one's resources, and the without attachment.
Discipline (): Maintaining moral discipline to keep the mind clear and the spirit upright.
Patience (Endurance): Enduring the hardships of the world with a calm and compassionate heart.
Diligent Practice: Applying oneself with unwavering focus and persistence.
Meditation (Concentration): Cultivating the stillness required to perceive the truth of existence.
Wisdom (Prajna): The final, crowning perfection that illuminates the entire path.
Wisdom (Prajna) is the sixth perfection. It is only after one has diligently practised the first five—purifying , heart, and spirit—that true wisdom can genuinely manifest. In reality, these six perfections form a single, inseparable whole. When you practise any one of them, you must ensure it is accompanied by the other five. Only through this holistic approach can your practice be truly complete and perfected.
The Suffering of Beings in the Cycle of Rebirth
When Buddhas and Bodhisattvas walk within this world, they observe the profound suffering of beings trapped in the cycle of rebirth. Beyond the inevitable physical hardships of aging, sickness, and death, beings manifest a wide array of troubled states of mind. Their spirits are often wounded, leading to:
Mental Instability: A sense of profound restlessness, anxiety, and fear.
Emotional Turmoil: Deep-seated depression and agitation that clouds the true nature.
Spiritual Interference: Being influenced by the spiritual realms or negative forces, which can lead to abnormal behaviour or a loss of moral direction.
Those who walk in this world to teach and guide others must first be firmly established in the Precepts (Discipline), Concentration, and Wisdom. Through continuous purification and diligent practice, their original nature begins to manifest, and their meditative concentration becomes profound. Only when one has reached the state of an awakened being can one walk among the suffering to save them without being pulled down by their negativity.
The Art of Skillful Means
In this age of the Dharma’s decline, beings are often burdened by deep-seated ego-attachment and rigid views. They find it difficult to listen to counsel, and the seeds of goodness are hard to plant in their hearts. However, for those whose spiritual foundations are now fully matured, the words of a teacher will naturally resonate, and their guidance will be accepted with an open heart.
At this juncture, a teacher must possess both and wisdom. By employing skillful means, the teacher can address the specific problems a being faces, thereby reducing their suffering and increasing their opportunities to leave suffering behind and find true happiness. Often, beings are so deeply immersed in their own pain that they do not even realise they are suffering, nor do they recognise that their own actions are the source of their distress.
The Power of Wise Strategy
When a being finally realises their mistakes and seeks a path to change, they require the guidance of a true spiritual friend. If their spiritual foundations are not yet ready, they may struggle to find this path and remain trapped in the cycle of rebirth. But for those whose spiritual foundations are now fully matured, they will naturally encounter the right conditions, receive the necessary assistance, and find the opportunity to be reborn in the of Ultimate Bliss.
What we call Wise Strategy is the application of wisdom to resolve these complex problems. It is the ability of the saviour to observe the conditions of a being and respond with flexibility and courage in the face of crisis. It is a vital tool that helps beings overcome their dilemmas, escape danger, and ultimately find liberation.
The Mission of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Within this strategy, the most important task is to integrate the teachings of the Buddha, the knowledge of and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the practice of chanting the Buddha-name into the daily lives of beings. We must help them accept these truths so naturally that they become an integral part of their mental notes and daily behaviour. This is the current direction of the mission at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The effective and appropriate use of this Wise Strategy is a direct manifestation of the saviour's Prajna wisdom. Practitioner Su is a master of this Wise Strategy, and the fourfold assembly of disciples should study this approach with great care. May we all learn to guide others with the same compassion and clarity, ensuring that the light of the Dharma reaches all who are ready to receive it.
