Buddhism as an Education

The path to Enlightenment



Namo Amitabha

Master Di-Xian and the student who so successfully chanted “Namo Amituofo” for three years, the student knew in advance when he would be born into the Pure Land. He told the woman who brought his food daily, that she need not bring it the following day. After he passed away from this world, he remained in a standing position for three days waiting for his master to come to make final arrangements. His birth into the Pure Land was into the highest level. His accomplishment is proof of the eighteenth vow, which explains to us that this birth can be accomplished with just ten recitations of “Amituofo”.







The Heart Sutra

"BECAUSE THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION, HE HAS NO FEAR."

This sentence is about discarding obstructions to action. Not to be obstructed by body and mind means to be free of worry and of fear. The practice of bodhisattva action engenders five kinds of fear, and those who did not break off delusion yet, who are in the early stages of the bodhisattva career, are particularly susceptible:

1. Fear of being left without sustenance after giving away all possessions; 2. Fear of being insignificant after giving up one's reputation; 3. Fear of dying in situations that call for self-sacrifice; 4. Fear of falling into evil circumstances; 5. Fear of addressing an assembly, especially in the presence of important people.

These five fears obstruct Dharma practice and without them there is no obstruction to action.



 

 

 




Namo Amitabha

Life’s most awesome event is death, and death comes to all without regard to wealth, beauty, intelligence or fame. Death is inevitable, but how you die—terrified and confused, or with confidence and spiritual mastery—is within your control.