By Victor M Fontane
"Namo Amitabha Buddha" is a method of spiritual purification. Through the recitation of this name, one can achieve self-forgiveness and cleansing. Regardless of whether past actions are perceived as virtuous (kusala) or non-virtuous (akusala), reciting this Buddha's name cultivates a consciousness conducive to a Pure Land (Sukhavati), thereby facilitating the pursuit of mental tranquility (shamatha).
Good and evil are merely impermanent (anitya) fragments of human existence. Through the experiences of joy (sukha) and suffering (dukkha) within them, we learn to transform our thoughts (citta) and gradually liberate ourselves from the perceived bondage of karmic actions (karma). The purpose is to guide sentient beings (sattvas) towards the realization of emptiness (sunyata), learning to liberate themselves from the confines of their own minds. The inherent nature of good and evil is empty; they are merely mental constructs. Therefore, obtaining a human birth is rare and precious, and encountering the Dharma is even more so. Achieving the wisdom of emptiness (prajnaparamita) requires accumulation over many lifetimes (bahujanman).
Heaven (svarga) and hell (naraka) are ultimately manifestations of the mind. A shift in mindset (cetana) is sufficient to determine one's spiritual state of being.
Bình luận