Where Does Self-Power Truly Lie?

The Harmony of Self-Power and Buddha-Power

The practice of the Pure Land path relies on the harmonious interaction between two forces: your own self-power and the infinite Buddha-power of Namo Amituofo. When you exert your self-power and find that it is not yet sufficient to overcome the challenges of your life, the Buddha-power will naturally manifest to provide the necessary support and blessings.

When your self-power is active, you must move forward with unwavering focus. The most powerful manifestation of this self-power is to chant the name of Namo Amituofo continuously and directly. Your chanting should be pure, free from selfish desires, devoid of wandering thoughts, and maintained without interruption.

The Essence of Self-Power

You may ask, where does this self-power truly lie? It resides within the very act of chanting. It is found when you keep the name of Namo Amituofo flowing in your mind, one thought after another, without a single break. It is also found in the process of purifying your own heart, ensuring that you do not allow delusions or messy thoughts to take root.

If you find it difficult to maintain control over your mind, and you notice that your thoughts are constantly wandering or that you are distracted by endless mental chatter, you must be vigilant. Once you become aware of this state, you should immediately lift your spirits and return to the Buddha-name, chanting it directly and clearly. It is essential to draw your Six Roots inward. Do not allow your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind to wander toward external objects.

When your senses are directed outward, everything you see and hear enters your consciousness and transforms into karmic burdens. If you lack awareness or have not yet encountered a true spiritual friend to help you stop this process, these stains will continue to accumulate. Consequently, your self-power will appear weak and ineffective.

Strengthening Your Daily Practice

If you wish to strengthen your self-power, you must follow a structured approach to your spiritual life. The primary method is to purify your Body, Speech, and Mind. This process of purification is cultivated through your daily practice. Your daily practice should be built upon a solid foundation of:

• Prostrations: Bowing to the Buddha to humble the ego and show reverence.
• Chanting Namo Amituofo: Maintaining the Buddha-name to keep the mind focused and pure.
• Reciting the Sutras: Studying the teachings to gain wisdom and align your life with the Truth.

These are the fundamental pillars of your spiritual life. If you can complete these tasks during your morning service, you will successfully store the energy required for the day ahead. You will also accumulate the necessary provisions for your eventual rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. As you do this, the Buddha-power will naturally be added to your efforts. Over time, as you accumulate this merit day after day, you will find that you are no longer easily disturbed by external circumstances.

The Wisdom of Outdoor Chanting

The outdoor chanting sessions held every Wednesday and Thursday at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are a brilliant method devised by Practitioner Su. This practice is a perfect example of the balance between self-power and Buddha-power, serving as a skillful means to save oneself while simultaneously saving others.

There are two layers to this practice:

• Self-Power: The fourfold assembly of disciples runs and chants with their own strength, while the Buddha-power provides the necessary support and protection.
• Compassion: By following the intention of the fourfold assembly to chant and save beings, you can nurture and grow your own compassion.

If you only think of your own liberation while running—hoping that the beings within your own body will leave and be reborn in the golden light—your compassion and mind-capacity remain limited. While you may gain the physical benefits of exercise, you fail to share the benefits of the Dharma with the earthly creatures and the spirits in the surrounding space. You miss the opportunity to help these beings enter the golden light and elevate their spiritual quality.

Expanding Your Mind-Capacity

When the fourfold assembly participates in this group cultivation, you have the chance to help the earthly creatures and the spirits in the space around you. Through the power of the Buddha-name and the support of the Buddha-power, the space is opened up. This allows these beings to enter the golden light and receive the Buddha's blessings and deliverance. This act of selfless service is exactly what elevates the spiritual quality of the fourfold assembly.

Your self-power should be present at all times. It should be in your chanting, in your running, in your walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. It should be present while you are eating, dressing, and sleeping. In every moment of your life, 24/7, the Buddha-power will be there to accompany you. Namo Amituofo.