Before one reaches the state of an awakened being, life is akin to a battlefield. You must remain vigilant at every moment, prepared for the unexpected, as the forces of confusion are always waiting to strike. If you are not prepared, you may suffer severe wounds, face defeat, or even find yourself unable to rise again after a single blow.
The enemies you face are not external soldiers, but the internal afflictions that cloud your true nature. You must be cautious and defend yourself against these formidable adversaries:
The : Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt.
The : The relentless pursuit of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
Your Own Personality: The deep-seated habits and ego-driven tendencies that keep you trapped.
Karmic Forces: The momentum of your past actions that continue to pull you into the cycle of rebirth.
This is a war against your own personality and a war against the cycle of rebirth itself. Until you have achieved a decisive victory, you must never allow yourself to become complacent. Even a moment of relaxation allows your personality to take control, leading you to plant negative causes and accumulate negative . At the critical juncture of life and death, a moment of laxity allows the cycle of rebirth to prevail, causing you to miss the opportunity to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Necessity of Divine Reinforcements
On the battlefield of life, if you are fortunate enough to encounter reinforcements, you have a genuine chance of victory. These reinforcements are the compassionate beings who have vowed to save us:
and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: The ultimate source of light and protection.
Ancestral masters and venerable masters: Those who have walked the path before us and provide the map to liberation.
Practitioner Su and true spiritual friends: The companions who support and guide you in your daily practice.
However, to encounter these reinforcements, you must possess a tremendous blessing. Without this, it is difficult to resist the enemy on your own. If you fail to connect with these sources of support, you will likely suffer defeat. This defeat means not only failing to reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss but also falling back into the cycle of rebirth, or even descending into the Three Evil Realms to endure immense suffering.
The Synergy of and
This is the unique magnificence of practising the Gate during this age of the Dharma’s decline. Because the karma of beings is so heavy and our own strength is insufficient, we must rely on the support of the Buddha’s . By utilising the power of merit and the majestic power of Namo Amituofo, we can help beings to dissolve their negative karma and transform it into a path toward rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and the realisation of one's true nature.
None of this can be achieved without effort. Within your own practice, you must be fiercely diligent. If you wish to confront your personality and win this battle, you must cultivate the following:
: Let your heart of compassion manifest fully.
Firm Vows: Maintain a vow that is unshakable and resolute.
The Three Pillars: Practise the , meditative concentration, and wisdom.
Only through these can you avoid being swayed by your personality, allowing you to transform it until it no longer hinders your progress. By relying on the Buddha’s power, you can resolve the conflicts with your , focus on purifying , heart, and spirit, and eventually reach a state of complete and selflessness.
When you become pure and filled with goodness, you will naturally win the battle without a fight. You will dissipate the wars within your heart and live a life that is pure, cool, free, and awakened. In this state, you will be able to save yourself and guide other beings toward rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
