Turn Back in Time: Teachings on Transforming the Self

The Weight of Habitual Patterns

Throughout our lives in this world, we have cultivated various personality traits and deeply ingrained habits. When one enters the path of spiritual practice, these very traits—the ego-attachment and self-centred views they foster—become significant obstacles. These barriers are not merely abstract; they manifest in very tangible ways during our practice, most notably as being drowsy and the tendency to drift into other spaces. If you wish to turn back in time and overcome these states of being drowsy and mental wandering, you must possess great strength. This is because these habits have been accumulated over countless lifetimes; how could they possibly be changed in a single day or two?

The Hidden Influence of Attached Spirits

Even when you believe you have successfully changed, you will find that when certain situations arise, your old personality and habits resurface immediately. It is only then that you realise you have not truly changed at all. This occurs because the karmic creditors, attached spirits, and even demon crowds that were drawn to your past personality and habits still reside within your body. To truly and thoroughly change, you must understand that the personalities of these beings within you must also be transformed. Otherwise, whenever these beings manifest, your old habits will reappear, creating a situation where you mistakenly believe you have changed when, in reality, you have not.

The Infinite Compassion of Namo Amituofo

Therefore, you must have a sincere vow to change your personality and habits, and you must put this into practice with diligence. Only then will you have a genuine opportunity for transformation. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Even if you have violated the Precepts, as long as you remain within the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you always have the opportunity to turn back and correct your ways in time. This is due to the great compassion of Namo Amituofo, who truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The Buddha’s heart is filled with mercy and compassion; He does not abandon a single being. Through His patient and earnest teachings, He waits only for the moment when beings will awaken and turn back.

The Path of Transformation

Even if a being has only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of changing, Namo Amituofo will never abandon them. Because this physical body still exists, if the heart can turn, the body can also be transformed. Although your past mental notes and physical actions may have been erroneous—creating karma according to the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism—as long as this body remains, you have hope. As long as you are able to repent, change your heart and mind, and turn back in time, you can succeed. By diligently chanting Namo Amituofo, performing prostrations, reciting the Sutras, and even broadly cultivating blessings and wisdom, you will accumulate merit and virtue. This is the time when you can dissolve your karma and transform your karma.

A Call to the Fourfold Assembly

To the fourfold assembly of disciples, I urge you to turn back in time at this very moment. Follow the guidance of Namo Amituofo, our Teacher, and Practitioner Su. Continue to move forward in the work of saving the world and rescuing all beings. Namo Amituofo.