The Wisdom of Swiftly Correcting One's Faults

The Weight of Our Actions

When a practitioner allows their hearts and actions to harbour faults and errors, they inevitably create negative causes. When the time comes for these causes to ripen into evil consequences, the resulting suffering is profound and difficult to bear. This reality is clearly seen and understood by those who have reached Awakening. Therefore, we earnestly counsel all beings: do not create negative causes, for you will surely suffer the evil consequences that follow.

Although these words are frequently spoken by Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, and true spiritual friends to guide those who follow, practitioners still often create negative karma without even realising it. If one does not receive proper teachings or reminders, one remains unaware of their faults. Consequently, the cycle of creating negative karma continues, and the suffering remains constant. In such a state, there is no progress to speak of in one's practice.

The Danger of Knowing but Not Changing

There is an even more perilous situation: when a practitioner knows they have committed a fault but chooses to continue creating negative causes. At this point, the resulting suffering is greatly intensified. This is because knowing one has committed an error yet persisting in it causes direct harm to one's Dharma Body and wisdom. It delays or even completely obstructs the possibility of reaching Awakening, thereby causing all beings to suffer alongside the practitioner.

You must remember this: knowing your faults and correcting them immediately without delay is of the utmost importance. You must hold this truth firmly in your heart. Because you have not yet reached Awakening, your life remains limited. You are currently living within the cycle of karma and impermanence, which is essentially a body bound by karmic retribution. However, through diligent practice, you have the rare opportunity to transform your karma, leave the cycle of rebirth behind, and transition from this body of retribution into the Dharma Body.

The Sanctity of the Bodhimanda

If you know you have committed a fault but fail to change, choosing instead to delay and continue your errors, you are piling sin upon sin. The suffering that follows will be difficult to endure. Every practitioner must be extremely cautious. If this fault does not only harm yourself but also damages others, or if it interferes with the temple's work—such as the mission to save beings or the performance of Chao Du—then you are truly compounding your sins.

Faults and errors become even more apparent in a place of pure practice. This is because everyone here follows the precepts and the rules of the temple, which is the only way to maintain true purity. When a fault occurs, it damages the purity of the bodhimanda and creates interference for other practitioners. Therefore, such faults are clearly visible, and the resulting karmic retribution is equally manifest. You must be vigilant.

The Path to Self-Salvation

All students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre understand that Namo Amituofo is residing here, surrounded by the Dharma protectors. Every thought and intention you have cannot be hidden in the slightest. Every thought, every intention, and every action you take is recorded in your consciousness; there is no such thing as luck or escaping the laws of karma. Therefore, knowing your faults and correcting them immediately is an act of self-salvation.

By engaging in the following, you can begin to save yourself and lighten your karmic burden:

• Chant Buddha's name
• Performing prostrations
• Recite the Sutras
• Sincerely change your ways

Only when you take these steps can the power of the Buddha find a place to provide you with support and blessings. Namo Amituofo.