Words of Namo Amituofo: Confusion and Awakening to the Truth

Transcending the Illusion of Life

My dear children, to live within this world of illusions without being deceived by them is a profound achievement. To be able to realise the truth and act accordingly is the essence of a meaningful life. Those who can live in this way will truly leave suffering behind. They will transcend the cycle of aging, sickness, and death, ensuring that their spirit does not die, and will ultimately be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the very life that we hope all members of the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre will lead.

A human life is brief, often lasting less than a century. While you still have breath in your lungs, you must strive to walk out of the fog of delusion and see the world with clarity. You must learn to distinguish between what is illusory and what is truly real. Many people spend their entire lives lost in this mist, unable to see the path ahead, which makes it incredibly difficult to escape the cycle of confusion.

The Path Out of the Mist

If you are fortunate enough to receive guidance that helps you step out of this confusion and witness the truth, you possess a tremendous blessing. When you find yourself surrounded by the fog of worldly concerns, you must heighten your awareness and sharpen your perception. This guidance, which leads you out of the maze of delusion, may manifest in various forms, such as the teachings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, or through the presence of a true spiritual friend.

In the Pure Land tradition, to awaken and realise the truth does not require one to be a scholar who has read every single sutra or treatise. Instead, it requires a focused and dedicated heart. You must specialise in reciting the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra).

The Essential Practice of the Pure Land

To succeed on this path, you must:

• Generate Bodhicitta: Cultivate the supreme aspiration to attain Enlightenment for the sake of all beings.
• Single-minded Chanting: Devote yourself entirely to chanting the name of Namo Amituofo without distraction.
• Hold the Name: Keep the six-character name of Namo Amituofo in your heart and on your lips at all times.

By holding this name firmly and continuously, you will receive the Buddha's blessings and gain the magnificent benefits of the Dharma. Furthermore, you must diligently practise the Ten Good Deeds and the Six Perfections, as these are the fundamental methods mentioned in the Infinite Life Sutra that every practitioner must uphold. I ask you, the fourfold assembly of disciples: have you truly been doing this?

The Boundless Blessings of Hsiang Kuang

You must always protect your Six Roots, ensuring they remain pure and untainted by the external world. By accumulating merit and virtue, you provide the necessary foundation to resolve conflicts with your karmic creditors, invite spirits to listen to the Dharma, and perform Chao Du for those in need. Today, because Namo Amituofo truly abides here, and with the protection of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju and the mediation of Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body, you have access to an inexhaustible source of merit.

This merit, which is constantly provided by Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, is a gift to all students of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. It is a tremendous blessing for both you and your karmic creditors. Every point mentioned here is essential for resolving your confusion. Once you have awakened to the truth, you will be guided by your original nature and your true heart. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you can follow Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su in the noble work of saving the world and rescuing infinite suffering beings.

Namo Amituofo