The Buddha Dharma is not merely a philosophy or theory; it is all about application. Anyone who wishes to cultivate merits should diligently practice the Dharma and apply it in everyday life to remedy the defects in one’s conduct, thought, and speech. Only by application of the Dharma may one see oneself truly: how despicable one’s transgressions are, and how insignificant one really is. Furthermore, if one does not appreciate the reality of the “Law of Causation,” one would treat Dharma as a philosophical subject and study Buddhism as an academic exercise. One would not use Buddhism as a means for liberation from samsara and attaining Buddhahood. If one does understand the reality of cause and effect, one would know that every clause and every word in the Dharma is a part of Sakyamuni Buddha’s body and mind. Every aspect truly embodies his great compassion and empathy, calling on us to be aware of the transmigration within the three domains and to work towards freedom and enlightenment. 

       Therefore, each and every scripture and sentence in the three Pure Land sutras are the blood, sweat and tears of Sakyamuni Buddha, the flesh of Amitabha Buddha. They are not empty words on paper; they are powerful and dynamic vessels, full of infinite light and life.

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Ronald D. DiVestea)