Words of the Buddha: The Path of Purification and Purity

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

The more you engage in the work of purification, the purer your heart and spirit will become. Conversely, the more you allow yourself to dwell in turbidity, the more deeply you will be stained by pollution. It is a simple truth that descending from a state of purity into the depths of pollution is easy, like a stone falling to the earth. However, to return from that state of pollution back to purity requires a great deal of effort, skill, and persistent practice.

The Awakening of Awareness

If you can immediately halt your actions the moment you realise you are becoming polluted, this is a sign that you possess true awareness. Although you may have already been affected by the stain of the world, this is far better than being polluted without even knowing it. If you are aware of the pollution but fail to stop it, how can you ever hope to attain true purity?

Your true self—your original nature—is inherently pure. It is the very essence of who you are. Yet, because we have wandered so far from this source, we find ourselves searching everywhere for it, unable to see it clearly. We perceive only the filth and the darkness, which are merely the results of external contamination.

The Veiling of Our Original Nature

Your true self was meant to be the master of your life, yet where is it now? Because we have been careless, we have fallen into the cycle of rebirth, accumulating layers of heavy, turbid karma. These layers have covered our original purity so completely that it seems impossible to find. Consequently, we have forgotten our true nature and are left to be toyed with by our own confusion. Our spirits are obstructed, and although we have been fortunate enough to obtain a human body, we carry the scars of countless lifetimes.

• Our hearts, which were once radiant with light, have become dim and heavy.Our original, sensitive awareness has become chaotic and unclear.

A Ray of Hope in the Five Turbidities

In this world of the Five Turbidities, we are fortunate to have the protection of the Buddha's grace. Shakyamuni Buddha manifested in this human world to reveal the path to Buddhahood. He opened the way to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, teaching us the supreme Dharma to leave suffering behind and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Even in the deepest darkness, we have found a ray of hope.

Those who hear this teaching are truly blessed. By chanting the holy name, Namo Amituofo, with diligent practice day and night, you will find that:

• Your purification deepens with every recitation.The turbid stains are gradually removed.The confusion that once clouded your mind begins to fade away.The light of your heart reappears, and your sensitive awareness is restored.You return to a state of purity, finally seeing your true self.

When your heart and spirit are pure and complete, you will no longer see the turbidity or the darkness. You will see only purity; you will see only light.

Returning to the Light at Hsiang Kuang

Today, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Namo Amituofo truly abides. We see the suffering of all beings—the difficulty of old age and sickness, the pain of those who have strayed from their true nature, and the rarity of those who successfully reach the Western Pure Land. We hope that those who know, those who see, and those who hear will come quickly to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

Here, you may receive the purification of Namo Amituofo. Through the Buddha-light, we can resolve the conflicts with your karmic creditors and find relief from the burdens of old age and sickness. By chanting the holy name, Namo Amituofo, without ceasing, you will find that:

• Your body becomes peaceful.Your heart becomes calm.Your spirit becomes whole.

Ultimately, you will leave suffering behind, attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land, and through your practice, realise your true nature and complete the Buddha's path.

Namo Amituofo