As the Master Hui Jing has said, ‘A man becomes impatient because he is lacking in love.’ When you are full of love, you will be very patient.
A man asked Jesus, ‘My brother has offended me. Is it enough if I were to forgive him seven times?’ He was thinking seven times were too many already. Jesus said, ‘To tell you frankly, seven times is not enough. Forgive him 70 times of 7.’ That is 490 times. The meaning is you have to learn to forgive always, uncountable times, limitless times.
So, this is the way we love others, carrying out all minute matters wholeheartedly. When we love others, we will immediately be rewarded. Love is a business which is without a loss.
Sometimes we love others but they cannot understand our intention, they even misinterpret our intention, then we will earn more. There is no need to explain to them. Loving others is a natural act. There is no need for them to understand before we can love them. Is not it this way? Even if they cannot understand, there is no loss on our side.
Some people ask, ‘Our dharma door is truly good. Just by reciting the Buddha Name we can attain Buddhahood. No cultivation is needed. Then what should we do?’ What do you think we should do? ‘Love others.’ That is right. Amitabha Buddha has already made sure you will arrive at Buddhahood by reciting His Name. Then you should just love yourself and love others. This is your job-
Be happy, be loving and smile. All the Bodhisattva, you job is to be happy, loving and smile.
Do this job with a relax mind, with no burden. Your rewards will be very big.
A comment by oridharma: ‘Be happy, be loving and smile.’ Happiness does not mean you enjoy your food, your drinks, your game. You can only be so happy when you can feel the love of Amitabha Buddha for you. Every day is a blessing and every day you are full of gratitude. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
This is an evil world of five turbidities. We must truly understand the turbid and evil living beings in this evil world of five turbidities are unhappy and greatly afflicted. This is like we are entering a fighting place, with the forests of bullets and guns shooting everywhere. At any time, our precious life will be over. If we are so lucky to come back, this is truly the kindness of the Buddha. We should be very grateful, am I right? In the Saha world, everyone is pressurized by all kinds of afflictions. Even in the family, when we are with our loved ones, relatives, we are still surrounded by the rains of flying bullets. If you can stay safe and withdraw yourself, this is truly a blessing and we are most thankful. Now, we are reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha. It means that we will not be hurt by the various afflictions, all kinds of karmic hindrances as we have already put on the bulletproof vest. We are equipped with the body armour. We will not be harmed in an attack. We are able to withdraw ourselves and return to the Western Land. What do you think? Is not this the greatest blessings?
An extract from the Dharma teaching on the words of endorsement of the Primal Teachings of Contemplation Sutra-183 By Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong“
In this World of Ultimate Bliss, all the good men dwell together. In this evil world of five turbidities, all the evil men dwell together. Of course, this includes ourselves, not pointing finger at others only. Just take a look all around us, people fight with people, countries declare war with other countries. When nothing happens, even our mind is fighting a war internally. What can we do? As long as we are alive today, let us choose to spend it on Amitabha recitation. In this life itself, we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and we will not fight with others. We will retreat and arrive at the Western Land. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
In Amitabha recitation, if our mind is not connected with the Buddha, no matter how hard we try, we will still be in vain, am I right? This is as if the line is cut off. The line of our mind is not connected to the Buddha’s Mind. But if we know we are the son of Amitabha Buddha, the recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha is the rebirth, there is no such problem as seeking or not seeking a rebirth. So, put down everything and recite Namo Amitabha Buddha honestly. We would simply let Amitabha Buddha rescue us. by Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong
我们念佛，如果心跟佛没有接通的话，再求都不管用，对不对？ 就像线断了一样，跟佛之间心线没接通。
如果知道自己跟佛之间是亲子关系，
你念佛就往生，没有什么求不求的问题。
所以，一切放下，老实念佛，
任凭阿弥陀佛的救度。净宗法师
A comment by oridharma:
It is very natural for a son to call his father, telling him he is coming home. There will be no restrictions or conditions at all. This is because we are of the same family. Our father will be so happy, looking out for us every day. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
Every day, if we are arguing rights and wrongs, existence or non-existence, proper or improper, you and I, our mind will always be uneasy, not dwelling in stillness nor silence. Even if we do not contend with people, we are still contending in our mind. Every man creates his own world. There should not be any complaints at all. If ‘everything is others’ faults’ becomes ‘they are all my faults’, the instant that we decide to change for good, that is the instant our mind will dwell in peace and quietude. We should realize our shallow potential, our lacking in wisdom. We can only recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. We will be yielding and submissive. There will be no contention. By Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong
Pointing a finger at others is the afflictions of all mundane men. One day, when we could see our faults, at that instant, our life will change for good, all those around us will start to change too. The main criterion is we must learn to subdue our mind. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
When our mind is full of love, no harm will come upon us. It is as though we are carrying a fire. No darkness can come any closer.
心中有爱的人，不会受到任何伤害，如同身边带着火，黑暗不能近身
A comment by oridharma:
What is lacking in the world is love, not money, not power, not high status. The problem is when a man is born into the world, he will be trained to study hard, to seek for knowledge so that he can earn good money, high status, power and great enjoyment. No one tells him Amitabha Buddha loves him, that he must learn to love himself, love his family, love all living beings! This is the reason for all the chaos in the world.
Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha to accomplish Buddhahood is a natural matter. For instance, we will get gourds if we have planted gourds, harvesting beans if we have planted beans. This is in accord with the natural process. Natural process means a normal process without extra efforts.
念佛成佛，
如种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆一样，
此是自然，
自然者，自自然然，不加勉强造作。——净宗法师
A comment by oridharma:
The World Honoured One says, ‘If we want to know all the Buddhas in the three periods of time, we should contemplate the nature of the Dharma Realm as every thing comes forth from our mind. When our mind often dwells in evil thoughts, we end up in the three evil paths. With our mind often dwells in kindness, we end up in the three wholesome paths. When we are mindful of the Buddha always, this is in accord with the Buddha’s Vows and we attain a rebirth in the Pure Land. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
Material satisfaction should be adjusted in the suitability of our blessings. We should not simply seek for a lot of enjoyment. Money resembles the fertilizer. Accumulating so much fertilizer is useless. We should distribute them, spread them all over. Then they will be able to function as required.
物质的享用，要看是不是适合，自己的福报。
而不是一味地贪大。
金钱就像肥料，堆起来毫无用处。
必须散播出去，让它发挥作用。
——净宗法师
A comment by oridharma:
Enjoying life is to exhaust our blessings. What is left behind is only sufferings. a wise man leads a simple life and does not chase after enjoyment. Whatever extra he has will be used to make offerings, to give and relieve poverty and sufferings. Only such a man can recite Namo Amitabha Buddha with a relaxed mind. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha.
When a man is famous and successful, that he is earning lots of wealth and praise, how can he seek to attain a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss? But when he is facing celebral infarction, that he is down with cancer, that he is broke, that the stock falls, that his children are not well, all these matters come upon him, hit hard on him. He feels that it is meaningless to live on and sighs, ‘This is a world of sufferings.’
So, this is the only way, that is he must suffer a bit. Without suffering, he will continue to lead a life of delusion. It is not a good feeling to suffer. But if it can lead us to enlightenment, these sufferings become an invaluable lesson. So, in the Pure Land Dharma Door, the causes and conditions to arrive at enlightenment is slightly different. Mostly, adversities are the causes which lead you into total hopelessness, the terrible state of despair, that you feel that you are all alone, helpless. If you are always eating sweets, you will not attain enlightenment.
At the rock bottom of our life, when we decide to call on the Buddha, to rely on the Buddha strength, there will be a change for good. Only then we will realize that Amitabha Buddha has always been there, waiting for us, not forgetting us. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
Our attainment of a rebirth relies on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows, not relying on our Bodhi mind power of the Great Vehicle, neither is it relying on the strength of our past goodness. We rely totally on the power of the Buddha’s Vows. After we are born in that Land, our hindrances become extinct and our lotus blooms. This happens because of the accomplishment of merits and virtues of the Land. Let us take the analogy of our dirty body. if we were to take a bath in the river or under the waterfall, it will be clean, right? So, is this happening rely on your effort? No, it is not. When our body is smelly with sweat, the smell will be gone when the wind blows by. On your arrival at the World of Ultimate Bliss, the fragrant wind of Amitabha Buddha blows on you, all your bad temper, smelly sweats, smelly afflictions are all blown away. Not only that they are gone. You become so fragrant. This is called ‘the body vessel is pure.’
An extract from the Dharma teaching on the words of endorsement on the Primal Teachings of Contemplation Sutra-160 By Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong
Living beings who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, they are entering the mould of Buddha. When they come out they are the fragrant, shinning and adorned Buddhas. Living beings who do not recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, they are covered with greed, hatred and delusion. In the defiled Saha World, they can only become more defiled, smelly and ugly. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
Speaking generally, all the Buddha Sutras start with this general preface ‘Thus Have I Heard’. This is to show that ‘Faith is the source of the Path.’ Faith is the root core, the original source for us to seek the paths. Without faith, no path can be accomplished. That is why it is said, ‘Faith is the source of the Path. It is the mother of merits and virtues which nurtures all the good roots so that they will grow and flourish.’
That is why at the beginning of the Sutra, it is thus stated, ‘Thus have I heard’. This is especially important. If we can thoroughly understand this, it means our wisdom is open up. Whatever the Buddha we will just believe. This is ‘Thus have I heard’. At the instant of listening, it is the instant of faith, the instant with the teaching flowing into your mind. Such a man will not be sitting there trying to figure out its meaning, becoming calculative over its content.
The importance of learning the principles of the Dharma
【法义的学习非常重要】
It is very important to learn the principles and meanings of the Dharma in the Pure Land Door. The Dharma is our life. If we do not learn the Dharma, our faith is without foundation. Actually, the Pure Land Dharma Door is very simple. We just have to recite the Buddha’s Name, Namo Amitabha Buddha. But the learning of the principles of the Dharma is also important. A man who does not understand the meaning, who does not understand the principles cannot be at ease. At times, he might even want to stop the recitation. Even if he tries to force himself to recite it will be so difficult, just like a burden. Gradually, he will stop reciting. He might even jump into another Dharma Door or change his religion. Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong
All mundane men are down with greed, hatred, delusion, arrogance and doubts.
So, everyone will have his own afflictions, his attachment.
In this manner, there will be no way for him to thoroughly understand the other people, to forgive their faults, to care and take pity on them.
As such it is impossible for both parties to voice out their afflictions.
Even though husband and wife can be so loving, that the children are so filial, that there is the constant gathering, the mind is still lonely.
The Taiwanese has thus said,
‘Who can truly read my mind?’
Who will be so daring to pour out everything from his mind?
Where to find the ones who care for each other, who understand one another?
Husband and wife can be so loving, there is still a limit for them to voice out their sufferings, their afflictions, their secrets. Staying in solitude we are lonely. Even with the gathering of families and retinues, loneliness will still linger.
That is why the Buddha has told us,
‘Dwelling in the worldly realm of love and desire, we are born alone and we will die alone. We come alone and we leave alone.’-Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
When we are all alone, losing all hopes, when we are in pain, only then we realize Amitabha Buddha is always standing by our side, giving his care and concern. Only Amitabha Buddha is our best friend. That is why an Amitabha Buddha is never alone. If he can understand and experience this, it is the happiest happening in life. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
That is why it is said, ‘When the light is on, darkness will leave. In the brightness, there is no darkness. It happens instantly. Brightness does not take a few days, a few years, a few lifetimes, a few Kalpas to achieve. In an instant, when the light is on, darkness is gone. Maybe the darkness has been dwelling there for a hundred years, a thousand years or even ten thousand years. In the Commentary on the Shastra of Attaining a Rebirth, the end of the first section, Great Master Tan Luan has thus described, ‘For instance, the room has been dark for a thousand years. But when the lights enter, it becomes bright. How can the darkness say that it has been there for a thousand years and it refuses to leave! -by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
所以说，
明来暗去，暗去明来。是当下当时，
不必经过几日、几年、几世、几劫，
是一刹那，光明一现，黑暗就消除，
不论黑暗已经盘据了百年、千年、万年。 昙鸾大师在《往生论注》上卷最末，形容说：
譬如千岁闇室，光若暂至，即便明朗;
闇岂得言，在室千岁，而不去耶!—–慧净上人
A comment by oridharma:
Every recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha is the Immeasurable Lights, Immeasurable Lifespan, the merits to attain a rebirth. Our mind is originally full of false thoughts and dwells in darkness. Now because of the Buddha’s lights, it is getting brighter and brighter. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
For an Amitabha reciter his conduct is in accord with his mind – by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
念佛人，有其心，必有其行
文 / 慧净法师
As the saying goes, ‘We will surely conduct ourselves in accord with our thoughts.’ Whatever that is in our mind will surely, naturally be revealed in our speech and conduct. In the same way, a man who wholeheartedly has faith in Amitabha Buddha, who relies totally on Amitabha Buddha, who vows to attain a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss will be less affected by the worldly issues in the Saha world. He is not so attached to them. For him, the attainment of a rebirth is more important. In fact, he takes it very seriously. Indeed, we can say his living, his aim in life is directed towards the attainment of a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss.
So, an Amitabha reciter who has faith in the rescue of Amitabha Buddha, who wishes to be born in the World of Ultimate Bliss will not much be affected by his false thoughts and delusive mind. He will take the Buddha’s Name seriously. Because of this kind of thinking, wherever he may be, at whatever time, he will recite Namo Amitabha Buddha with his mouth, ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha…’ Maybe he does not recite out loud, his mouth will be reciting silently, wherever he may be, doing the job, at the Great Buddha Hall, in the shower room, in the toilet, in the room. This will surely be the case.
This is known as the serious mind, the respectful mind. It is also known as the mind of attachment, the mind of upholding the Buddha’s Name firmly, unmoving, neither dispersed nor lost.
An extract from the Teaching on the Chapter of the Easy Practice.
Amitabha reciters will think of Namo Amitabha Buddha all the time. They are all prepared to attain a rebirth. People who do not recite Namo Amitabha Buddha only dwells in the confusion of self and other, rights and wrongs. They lead a life of suffering. At the death bed, they undergo more sufferings. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
The learners of this Dharma Door should have this realization that is : the love we possess is proportionate to our appreciation of Amitabha Buddha’s love for us. T
he more profound we can feel the love, kindness and compassion of Amitabha Buddha in rescuing us, the love we have for others will naturally be enhanced.
This phenomenon is very normal, very natural, very logical. -by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
学我们这个法门的人，更加要有这种体悟，就是说我们的爱心有多少，就表示我们体会阿弥陀佛的爱心有多少；
我们对阿弥陀佛
救度我们的慈悲爱心
体会愈深，
自然对其他的人的爱心
就会愈深，
这是一种很正常、很自然的逻辑现象 。
——慧净法师
A comment by oridharma
If we can really realize how Amitabha Buddha loves me like his only son, our heart will greatly be touched and filled with gratefulness. Ultimately, in the human realm, where to find someone who really care for us? Most people love themselves more than others. An Amitabha reciter realize the Great Love of Amitabha Buddha and he will naturally care for others, not renouncing others, wishing that all living beings will attain serenity bliss. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
From his heart, he sincerely wishes that he can benefit others, can bring calm and bliss to them.
He will not bring them sufferings, afflictions or any loss.
If he does possess some benefits or accomplishment, he will give them away silently to the other party, without being asked. If others are at faults, at a loss or are afflicted, he will take them upon himself quietly, taking over the responsibility.
It means that ‘All the failures belong to oneself.
All the successes belong to others.
All the blessings will go to others while all the misfortunes belong to oneself.’
A man who is able to conduct in this manner is called a practitioner. by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
The World Honoured One says that every living being has the potential to become Buddha. Amitabha Buddha has brought the 48 Greatly Magnificent Vows to rescue all living beings. We as the Buddha’s disciples should learn to love and care for all living beings, uphold all living beings. We will not harm any living beings. By doing so, we are acting in accord with the Buddhas’ mind. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha
We should learn not to talk about the rights and wrongs of others. And we will not lament. It is very easy to commit offences with our mouth. And it is very easy to diminish our blessings, to increase our sinful obstacles. As we are the practitioners, we should take the Buddha Dharma as the standard of measure confronting the arising of thoughts. We should not enter the Buddha Door bringing along all our bad temper, bad character which have fully engulfed us before learning the Dharma.
The World Honoured One said, ‘The Sages talk about the Dharma. The Sages maintain silence.’ Other than teaching the Dharma, the Sages keep the golden silence and dwell in stillness. We are not sages. We mundane men cannot teach the Dharma. We only recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. Other than Amitabha recitation, we will speak no more. Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Confronting situations and conditions of adversities, we should face them with a mind of compassion. If we cannot take pity on them, at least we must not be angry. It is as said by Dharma Master Jing Song, ‘Under the control of our Karmic strength, no one is doing anything purposely. The Wise men take pity on the sentient beings while the mundane men start to point fingers at each other.’
We should learn to be a wise man. We should learn to treat all living beings with kindness and compassion. We will not scold the other party. -by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
对自己不利的境缘，我们都要以悲悯心来对待；不能生悲悯心，至少也不能生瞋恨心。就像净嵩法师所讲的：
「在业力的推动下，没有人是故意的；智者悲悯有情，凡夫互相谴责。」
我们要当一个学佛的智者，
以悲悯心来对待一切众生，
而不要去谴责对方。
——慧净法师
8
Maintaining still quietude By Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
The most important cultivation for a practitioner is his speech. That is, he should always maintain ‘silence’- the still quietude. Why is this so? It is because all the fights and arguments begin with words.
Our words are the sounds of our mind. When we are wronged by others, when we are hurt, when we are frustrated, we become emotional.
In fact, all we have to do is to reflect on our mind. We should know these are not others’ problems. We should thoroughly, a hundred percent very sure that we must take a good check on ourselves. This is surely our problem.
Once I have passed to you all two essays.
-1 To cure this mind, we should seek for wonderful enlightenment. 2 The refined conduct
All the left home disciples should study them carefully.
For instance, in ‘To cure this mind, we should seek for wonderful enlightenment’, it is thus described:
‘When we are enlightened, we look calm at ease, adorned and respectful. All the false thoughts and emotions are absorbed into the genuine mind.’
This is a very good teaching. I hope everyone should absorb these words into yourself, into your mind.
It is thus stated, ‘From the ancient time until now, all the Worthies and Sages are calm at ease, without any pretentions.’ The words calm at ease, staying calm without much fuss are very good words.
When we are always calm at ease, staying in still quietude, respectful and adorned, it shows that our mind is calm and stable.
Confronting all people and matters with a calm and stable mind, no contention, no argument, no fighting will arise.
Then we should also study the refined conduct in details. While we are walking, standing, sitting or lying down, while we are talking and practising, we should maintain calmness, dwelling in still quietude. Do not become so restless. This is the meaning of refined conduct. ‘Refined’ means very tiny and minute, in details. Of course, we cannot be so perfect as thus described, yet they are the topics which we must try to acquire.
The refined conduct and a refined mind are very intricate and detailed. Such a practitioner has arrived at a mind of silence. It is easier for him to understand the principles and meanings. Sakyamuni Buddha has attained the Enlightenment of the Genuine Truth of the Life and Universe and because of his attainment of still quietude on the Bodhi Seat.
In the passing of time, with all the causes and conditions and at the ripe time and hours, he looks up at the night sky and attains the Perfect Enlightenment.
The ‘refined conduct’ comes forth from a ‘refined mind’. It is very important that we pay attention to minor details. We should always try to maintain a silent mind which is calm at ease. So, in the morning, we should cultivate the good habits of sitting quietly to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namo Amitabha Buddha
The Name Namo Amitabha Buddha by itself is able to eradicate our karmic hindrances, to enhance our blessings and virtues. Before passing away we will naturally enter the Nirvana state in the World of Ultimate Bliss. It resembles the thousands of rivers and streams on the earth surface which will finally enter the great ocean. As the saying goes, ‘The Supreme wholesomeness resembles the water’ The Buddha’s Name is the crystallization of the myriad virtues and practices. Once we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively, we will finally and ultimately return to Amitabha Buddha’s Great Ocean of the World of Ultimate Bliss. The Bliss of Attaining a rebirth is by reciting ‘Namo Amitabha Buddha’-by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha itself is the mind of faith.
This is a guarantee to attain a rebirth.
Once it is the time for you to go, you will see Amitabha Buddha by your side.
If the recitation of Amitabha Buddha does not guarantee you a rebirth, the tongue of the Buddhas in the ten directions should be cut off.
You have brought forth the Vow to seek a rebirth and you are reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively yet you are still worried about your attainment of a rebirth!
Is not this the same as eating the rice yet you are worried you will not be full?
By Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
念佛本身就是信心，就能往生，
时间一到 你就会看到弥陀在你身边。
若念佛不能往生，十方诸佛的舌头都要割掉。
既有愿生心，又专称名号，
尚且耽忧不能往生，岂非一面吃饭一面耽忧不饱!—–慧净上人
3
The mind of an Amitabha reciter is full of love and tolerance for living beings, in the same way as Amitabha Buddha. As Amitabha Buddha loves us, we are touched by this love and we are moved to love others. Amitabha Buddha has great tolerance for us as such we are moved to tolerate others too. The mind of an Amitabha reciter is permeated with the Buddha’s Mind so it will reveal such an aura. His greed, hatred, delusion, arrogance and suspicion are very light. His mind is unlike the common mundane men who are disturbed by unfairness, who is full of dissatisfaction, resentment and calculative.
Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha to attain a rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, to accomplish Buddhahood relies totally on the strength and bestowment of Amitabha Buddha. It is impossible for a mundane man who with his brain and thinking power, to understand the powerful bestowment of Amitabha Buddha. The magnificent strength of Amitabha Buddha’s merits and virtues cannot be understood by the Sravaka, the Conditional Enlightened Ones and the Bodhisattvas even if they try to figure it out. Amitabha Buddha is able to rescue living beings and makes sure that they will accomplish Buddhahood in this life, that they will perfect the Buddha Path in one lifetime. This strength can only be understood by the Buddhas. And only the Buddha is able propagate the Dharma thoroughly, praise the Dharma, protect and care for the Dharma to make sure it dwells in the world. By Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing.
Most grateful to Namo Amitabha Buddha. The Buddha does not mind if we do not understand him. As long as we can believe in him and recite his Name, he will surely come forth at our death -bed, to welcome him to His Buddha Land.
5.
Every living being is replete with the Buddha Nature. Even though they have committed lots of karmic sins, their Buddha Nature is not lost. In fact, the Buddha Nature will never disappear. When we go to hell, the Buddha Nature follows us to the hell. When we go to the heaven, the Buddha Nature also follows us to the heaven. Our Buddha Nature will never leave us as it will follow us wherever we go. Our Buddha Nature is covered up by the Karma of greed, hatred and delusion. It cannot reveal itself. But once we have arrived at the World of Ultimate Bliss, the karmic hindrances of dull ignorance will surely be dispersed. Instantly, the brightness of the Buddha Nature will be revealed. By Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
When a man is born, he is already sentenced to death.
Moreover, this death sentence is not fixed. It can come anytime. We do not know the time but it will come anyway. So, we must get ready to prepare for our death. To get ready for our death means that we must bring forth the Vows to attain a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss, now! Death may befall us anytime. But when it arrives, we will attain a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss. It is unnecessary to wait until the day of our death, to let other people recite Amitabha Buddha for us, to send us to the Pure Land. In this present moment, we can get ready all by ourselves, preparing to take leave anytime.
人一出生下来，就已经被判了死刑，而且，这个死刑是不定期的，它什麽时候来临我们不知道，但是说到就到，
我们要预先为自己送终；为自己送终 是 现在就发愿 愿生极乐世界，
不管死亡什麽时候来，一旦来的时候，就能往生极乐世界。
我们不必等死亡那一天，才让别人为我们助念超度，现在就可以亲自为自己准备。
7.
When we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha in our mind, the Dharma Protectors of the Heaven and dragons will come forth to protect us, to take care of us. Besides, the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas will surround us in hundreds of thousand layers to protect us, to praise us. This is as taught in the Amitabha Sutra. In the recitation of Amitabha Buddha, ‘In the Lights there are innumerable billions of Transformation Buddhas’. It means the Transformation Buddhas are innumerable billion in number. At the same time, ‘The transformation Bodhisattvas are also limitless.’ It means there are limitless Bodhisattvas. We are surrounded by the hundreds of thousand layers of Transformation Buddhas and Transformation Bodhisattvas, throughout the days and nights. In the three periods of time of the day and night, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors from the realms of heaven and dragon are all around us. Isn’t this very safe and sound? Isn’t this the most joyful experience? -by Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing
The six syllables Name Namo Amitabha is the Buddha. At the same time, it is the states of Nirvana. Nirvana is the World of Ultimate Bliss. That is why when we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, in this life we are in response to Amitabha Buddha’s Mind, His Vows and the Mind’s Lights. At our death bed, we will naturally enter Nirvana, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This will happen naturally, without additional force. So, we should know that the Pure Land Dharma Door is a Natural Dharma Door. When we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, we are naturally gathered in by the Buddha in accord with the functions of this Name to enter the World of this Name. Dharma Master Shi Hui Jing.
No man can escape death! If we are honest with ourselves concerning this matter, we will fall into the darkness of despair. That is why most people will try not to think about this matter. This is the mindset of most worldly men. Though we may forget about death, death will not forget us. It will attack us anytime.
But if we can face death directly, and desire to solve this problem, we will naturally, genuinely be endowed with a happy and fulfilling life.
Presently, a man can live up to an average of eighty years old. Up in the heavens, there are the Heavens of Desire, the Heavens of Forms and the Heavens of No-form. The shortest lifespan in the Desire Heavens is five hundred years old. The length of one day in that Heaven is equivalent to fifty years in this realm. The longest lifespan is those who are born into the Heaven of Neither thoughts nor no Thoughts where living beings can live up to 84 thousand Kalpas. It seems so long in comparison to our earthy existence. But in the Buddha’s eyes, it is still very short.
How short is the lifespan? Great Master Shandao has thus described, ‘Just like the strike of lightnings.’
Before we have the chance to see the lightnings, it is over.
So, our lifespan is that short. If we do not attain a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss, we will dwell in transmigration forever.
Our beloved ones will leave us one day. Even if we have a chance to meet again, we will no longer recognize each other.
The only way to pacify our mind relies totally on Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Some people think they will be calm at ease if they have lots of money. Some rely on power and status while others look for fame and love.
All these are not qualified to calm us down. Such choices are too shallow and ineffective as they are trying to pacify a mind with unsatiable desire.
If we truly wish to calm down, we must first take a good look at our mind.
The only way to calm it down is the Name Namo Amitabha Buddha.
When a man is calm, that he might not be feeling well, that all the things around him might not be as he has desired, he will still at ease, not affected by them.
This is because the way we live depends totally on our mind.
When our mind is at ease, everything will be ok.
If the mind is uneasy, it is truly difficult to live day by day, even if we might be staying in a golden palace, a jewel hall, or lying on a mountain of gold, or having the highest power, or become very popular.
With an agitated mind, we cannot live on!
It is most regretful as very few people manage to attain a peaceful mind.
Most living beings are easily perturbed and the whole world is in chaos constantly.
A genuine calm mind is able to withstand a turbulent world.
The World is unsettled because most people are seeking for this or that, fighting and contending to get what they desire.
They are yet to find the key, the correct direction.
Only Namo Amitabha is the wonderful solution to solve the problem of a settled mind.
A calm and peaceful man possesses the strength to counteract an unsettled world.
An essay by Venerable Master Shi Jing Zong, the Abbot of Hong Yuan Monastery, Anhui, China.
In the morning cultivation, bhikshu Zhu Hong followed the other fellow cultivators in the recitation and circumambulation. On returning to his seat, he sat down cross legged on the sitting mat, preparing for meditation. Without his realization his mind flew back to the scene 33 years ago, in the city of Hangzhou, the place where he got married. At the age of 17 he passed the Imperial Examination and became a xiucai, a qualified scholar. Unlike the other scholars he was not interested in money, status or a chance to become a High officer. He stayed at home as he was very attached to his old parents. After the passing away of his parents, he immediately asked his wife, the Lady Tang’s permission to leave the home life. The wife was very wise and virtuous. She did not obstruct him from this decision. Instead she said, “My dear husband, you may go first, I will follow your steps later.’ His wife rejoiced over his decision and gave him full support. As the wife was so kind, Zhu Hong bhikshu felt terrible to leave her, his mind was not at ease. He could not cut his emotional ties and he felt very sorry for her, wondering if he had made a right choice in life. If the wife was a little fiercer, lazy or loved to play around, eat and sleep or scolded him for leaving her, or asked for money and maintenance, he might feel better when he left. But she did not ask for anything, she just gave her support. Zhu Hong bhikshu felt all wrongs leaving her alone in that house. “Piek!” The echoes of the wooden board were heard all over the Buddha hall. The bhikshu who was on duty raised the wooden board and hit hard on his shoulders. In the meditation hall the bhikshu on duty will always survey the assembly by walking around the hall, holding a wooden board in his hand, looking for any cultivator who might fall asleep, or whose posture was improper, or who had lots of false thinking. He will walk quietly behind him, place the palms together in respect before he touches the shoulder with the plank, raises it and hits down. The person who was being hit should not get angry, instead he should bow down, place his palms together to seek repentance. Venerable Wuchen (which means no dust) who was a precept master in the Zhao Qing Temple, asked, ‘Bhikshu Zhu Hong! Why are you day dreaming away early in the morning?’ Zhu Hong bowed down in repentance. After the morning service, Venerable Wuchen brought him to see the Abbot. After making obeisance to the Abbot, Zhu Hong stood by one side. The Abbot said, ‘You have been learning the precepts here for nearly a year. And I do know a little of your worries. There are some hindrances in your cultivation. According to my observation, you will be a great master in future, helping thousands and millions of living beings. Do not look down on your potential.’ The Abbot continued to say, ‘Your affinities with your household have not been severed. It is better for you to go back and settle the matter.’ The kind words of the old Abbot touched Zhu Hong bhikshu’s heart so much that tears of gratefulness welled up in his eyes. He bowed down three times and tearfully he said, ‘Thank you Venerable. Your disciple is taking leave now.’ He cried because of the kindness of the old Abbot who understood the suffering of a bhikshu, the difficulties in letting go of the 5 desires and 6 dusts. He felt he had finally found someone who truly understood him. When he went back to his room he immediately wrote a letter to his former wife, telling her he was coming back to pray to the ancestors and to make offerings at the graveyard, a good excuse to see the wife. After sending the letter, he took leave from the precept master Wuchen and walked out of the temple, carrying his sashes and alms bowl, thinking this way, ‘I go back not because of the love for my wife, I want to teach her Dharma, to transform her.’ Happily he set out on the journey but in his inner mind, he too knew he was only cheating himself. That he was not going back because of his love for her. Lady Tang was a clever woman. On seeing the letter, immediately she knew that her former husband was lying. She was thinking, ‘Coming back to sweep the graveyard, to pray to the ancestors, a liar! He simply could not put down his loving desire!’ She continued to think this way, ‘I was once his wife. A wife has a virtuous duty to protect the husband. I have to protect my ex- husband, the present dharma master, so that he could cultivate the path wholeheartedly.’ She went out to the gate and dug a big pit just a few steps from the gate. Inside the pit she set up a stove with burning charcoal. On top she covered the pit with some straw so it looked like the earthy ground and grass, just like a trap. Zhu Hong bhikshu walked for a month and finally he arrived at Hangzhou. Happily he walked with a walking stick and his alms bowls and sashes were on his back. Every step he walked was taking him closer to his house. Finally he reached the gate and pushed it open. His heart was jumping faster than the hitting of muyu in the morning service. He saw his former wife was sitting opposite to the gate, knitting the winter clothes. Before he could call her name, he fell into the fire pit. His wife had calculated correctly so that he had no chance to call her. If he were to call her name, her heart would simply melt. She would have no way to subdue her emotion. Now he was on fire and the burning charcoal burnt down his monk robe. He was shouting, ‘Fire, fire, why is the house on fire?’ The former wife took up a pail of water and poured on him. The fire was extinguished. She scolded loudly, ‘If you know it is a fire house, why do you come back?’ If she did not scold him what would happen when he entered the house? She knew very well that they were only mundane people, not the grass or wood which had no emotion. Anyway they had once been a pair of happily married couple. So she decided to put on a show of anger to prevent him from entering the house, to stop further interaction. And there he was, at the gate only and the attack of fire was followed by the attack of water. He stood in the pit, all wet. She scolded further, ‘I am a woman and I am able to renounce the loving desire to let you leave the home life. You are a man and you cannot sever your love, to cultivate the path wholeheartedly, you are simply hopeless. What a shame!’ In the ancient time when the society was all closed up, a woman who was left by her husband would be judged a bad woman. People would talk and criticize her continually and looked down on her. It was not easy for her to face the scandals of the society. In the present modern society most people will not bother when they see a woman who stays alone. She is either staying single or a divorced woman. She angrily scolded, ‘I suffer greatly for your sake, facing all kinds of scandals just to support your choice of life. And here you are, still cannot control your love, your emotion!’ She truly understood her husband and she knew how to protect him from falling deeper into the pit. The bhikshu Zhu Hong stood there shamefully. Tears welled up uncontrollably and he was full of regrets He climbed up from the pit, shook the dust on his burnt robe, turned and walked away, speechless. He was most remorseful. He was thinking, ‘Why am I coming back for? What am I trying to do here?’ The Lady Tang turned her back and cried loudly, ‘Remember, do not come back once you walk out. People who keep on looking back will not walk too far.’ She continued, ‘If you really love me, then cultivate diligently to accomplish the path. After that you can come back to cross me over the suffering seas of birth and death.’ A woman of high intelligence talked to her former husband, trying to wake him up from the delusion of love. The bhikshu walked on. He dared not look back. Gradually the grayish robe disappeared into the dusk. Lady Tang stood alone uprightly in the cold wind, her tears poured out like the torrential rain. From then onwards, Zhu Hong bhikshu did not come back to this worldly home. He cultivated diligently, accomplished the Path and became the 8th Patriarch of the Pure Land Sect, the Venerable Great Master Lian Chi. His former wife built the Xiao Yi Nunnery and was ordained as a nun. She passed away one year earlier before the stillness of the Great Master. In the Sutra of the 42 Sections, section 3—The Severing of Love and Greed, ‘The Buddha said, “Shaving away the hair and beards to become a bhikshu, he learns the Dharma. He does not keep any money for he begs just enough to live. He eats once a day in the noon time and at night he sleeps under a tree. He should be careful not to repeat the same mistakes. What make a man stupid and deluded is love and desire.”’ In the same Sutra, section 24—The Hindrances of the Desire for the opposite sex, ‘The Buddha says, “In the seeking of love and desire nothing is worse than the attachment to the opposite sex. No other thing can be compared to this attachment. Luckily there is only one serious attachment. If there are two attachments which are equally strong in attraction, no one in the world can cultivate the path.”’
有人靠錢來安心，有人靠權來安心，有人靠名來安心，有人靠情來安心，這些都不足以安心。
I'm ORI the Light 