Walking with Vigilance on the Path to Awakening

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Continuum of Our Existence

Practitioner, as you walk the path of purification and move toward becoming an awakened being, you will have the opportunity to understand the profound connection between your past lives and this lifetime. It is essential to realise that the journey you are undertaking does not merely concern this single life. Instead, it encompasses the entirety of your existence—the past, the present, and the future. When you are confronted with these truths, you must learn to acknowledge them fully, hold them in your awareness, and then let them go. Do not dwell on the past; simply move forward with a clear and focused mind.

Understanding the Fabric of Reality

Within the education of our practice, there are fundamental truths that every practitioner must recognise and deeply understand. These are not abstract concepts, but realities that are closely related to your own life. Every person will encounter these truths, and in fact, you are currently living within them. You must gain a clear understanding of:

• The laws of karma and cause and effect: How every action ripples through time.The nature of truth and illusion: Distinguishing between what is real and what is merely a passing shadow.The nature of emptiness and the true self-nature: Discovering the unchanging essence within.

Facing the Truth with Compassion

A practitioner who is truly serious, compassionate toward themselves and all beings, and responsible for their own spiritual growth will face these realities with a positive and proactive attitude. This is especially vital when you are confronted by the following challenges:

• The presence of karmic creditors who seek balance for past actions.The weight of accumulated karma that must be transformed.The inevitable cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death.

When these situations manifest, they serve as a test to see if you truly understand the facts of reality. Everything you see before you is an experience within an illusory world. Its purpose is to help you find your way back to your true self-nature. Do not be deceived or blinded by the needs and desires of your physical body.

Vigilance Amidst the Illusory World

Before you have successfully transformed your karma, you must be prepared to face impermanence and the constant changes in people, events, and objects at any moment. You must remain vigilant and walk with caution, ensuring you do not fall into the traps of the illusory world. You must maintain a state of clear, unwavering awareness at all times. Do not create negative karma for the sake of the body's demands or worldly desires. The various situations you have heard about while listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma are meant to prepare you. When these situations manifest in your own life, you must be able to:

• Recognise the situation for what it is.Understand the underlying cause.Resolve the conflict through the wisdom of the Dharma.Break through the illusion to see the truth.

Elevating the Spirit

If you can achieve this, you will be able to face all situations, all people, all events, and all objects with a calm, open, and clear heart. This is the elevation of your spirit. It is the sign that your practice is progressing, and you are steadily moving toward the goal of becoming an awakened being. Namo Amituofo.