Tread Carefully on the Path to Awakening

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

February 5, 2023.

The experience of a human life is incredibly precious within this world. It is a rare opportunity because it allows you to hear the Dharma and learn the truth about the reality of your existence. Through this, you come to realise that you are a reincarnated being, governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. Your true self—your self-nature—has been covered up by these karmic forces, leaving you unable to be the master of your own life.

The Precious Opportunity of Human Life

Once you understand the value of this human body, you will realise that its true purpose is to engage in True Cultivation. This is the only way to rediscover your true self and truly take charge of your life. When you reach this understanding, you will be willing to:

• Face your past mistakes and change your ways.
• Transform the "self," personal ego, and selfishness.
• Recognise the importance of transforming your karma to reach the state of an awakened being.
• Seize the opportunity to end the cycle of rebirth and transcend the three realms.

Furthermore, because you have been fortunate enough to hear the Pure Land Dharma, you are now able to chant the name of Namo Amituofo and make the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, thereby attaining Buddhahood.

The Suffering of the Endless Cycle

In the vast ocean of karma within this world, beings suffer far too much. This suffering stems from not knowing the truth of reality. You take the illusory as real and mistake phantoms for substance. In doing so, you create new causes and continue to reap the bitter fruits of suffering without end. You have already passed through accumulated lifetimes, experiencing countless cycles of birth and death. Although you may have awakened a few times and sincerely chanted the name of Namo Amituofo with the intention of being reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you often fall back into the ocean of karma after making your vows. You have yet to learn how to turn back from the path of confusion, and you continue to drift and sink in this sea of karma.

The Call to Return Home

Namo Amituofo has descended into this world for a vital reason: to rescue the many children of the Buddha who have lost their way. It is my hope that you will hear these words, along with the call from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and return to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. By entering the right path and practising the Buddha's path, you can chant the name of Namo Amituofo and return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A Warning to Tread Carefully

The suffering of the cycle of rebirth is truly unbearable. It is painful to see that even though the Buddha or Bodhisattva have appeared before you, wishing to save you and help you leave this place, you remain attached to the Five Desires, the Six Dusts, and various other illusions. You are unable to exert your full strength to break through the dilemmas currently before you. Even worse, you continue to create new causes in this life, which enter your consciousness and become karma, thereby forming new laws of karma and cause and effect.

This is truly terrifying. You must tread carefully! You must tread carefully! Do not let your consciousness become entangled, and do not let your mind be swayed by waves of emotion. Instead, focus on the following:

• Think of Goodness, act with Goodness, and speak of Goodness.
• Maintain good thoughts, perform good deeds, look for the good in others, and chant the name of Namo Amituofo.
• Let Namo Amituofo accompany you as you walk the path of rediscovering your true self and saving all suffering beings.

Namo Amituofo.