If we can feel the compassionate heart of Amitabha Buddha's deliverance, we'll fully accept his rescue, bowing at his feet and finding solace in his embrace. This deep respect will make us humble and gentle, filled with Amitabha’s compassion. We'll learn to care for and understand others, knowing that Amitabha’s help is proactive, non-discriminatory, and unconditional.

       Even if we’re still struggling with greed, anger, and ignorance, and these karmic tendencies are triggered according to external circumstances, our ability to reflect and correct ourselves will be strong.

       The Pure Land Path is all about Amitabha’s deliverance—his love and acceptance for us. Think about it: if Amitabha didn’t love us, why would he save us? If he didn’t accept us, how could we be saved?  Look at our lives—would our actions pass the test in front of Yama, the King of Hell? Yama and karma aren’t forgiving, but Amitabha is. He tolerates all our misdeeds and wants to deliver us to his Pure Land.

       If we grasp the depth of Amitabha’s love and tolerance toward us, we’ll love and tolerate others just as much.

       We Amitabha-reciters should deeply understand and accept our inherent imperfections, recognizing that we all are iniquitous ordinary beings ensnared in the endless cycle of rebirth, without hope of liberation. However, in the great name of “Namo Amitabha Buddha” we find solace. His strong transformative cause offers us sanctuary. Despite our flaws, we are no longer weighed down by them. Instead, we embrace a life filled with stability, joy, gratitude, and humility. 

       Expressing gratitude for Amitabha’s grace and cultivating a compassionate heart towards others echoes the first principle outlined in our “Worldly Truths of Attributes of the Pure Land School” - “Be reverential and trusting towards Amitabha Buddha, while also embodying compassion and understanding towards other people. In our deportment, we should be modest and amiable.” Living this way means “Learning from Buddha’s great compassion. As Amitabha treats me, I will treat others.” Even if it’s just an aspiration, striving towards it is better than having no goal.

       If someone is agitated by negative emotion such as feeling wronged, or resentful, it shows that he doesn’t fully understand his inherent imperfect nature, believing that he is righteous and has no flaws. It also means that he hasn’t felt Amitabha’s boundless love and acceptance. This is common for beginners.

       All Buddhas urge people to avoid evil and do good. Amitabha’s vow promises rebirth and non-retrogression for everyone, except those who commit the most serious offenses or slander the true Dharma. The Infinite Life Sutra talks more about this, advocating the "Five Good and Five Evil" principles. Clearly, Amitabha wants reciters to follow the principle: “Be sincere and scrupulous in your relationships. Avoid evil and cherish good. Be an upstanding citizen by being civic-minded and respecting the law,” as explained in ATTRIBUTES OF THE PURE LAND SCHOOL (2): Worldly Truths (governing everyday life).

       Values like kindness, humanity, morality, filial piety, and manners are crucial for grounding Buddhist principles. The Buddhist community maintains a conservative stance to preserve the Dharma’s integrity. Despite the rapid advancements in science and technology, morality is declining rapidly in this defiled world. In all this darkness, the Dharma is our guiding light.

       As Buddhist practitioners, we should set a good example for others in how to conduct ourselves. Always strive to do good and avoid misdeeds. Be mindful of what we think, say and do. Practice Amitabha-recitation and adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. If we understand the Pure Land teachings well, we can mentor others including our families so that they will all recite the Buddha’s name, attaining enlightenment upon rebirth. Having become a Buddha, we can then deliver other sentient beings. Let us all embrace the guiding principles of the Pure Land School Attributes and serve as role models for others.

(Translated by the Pure Land School Translation Team;
edited by Householder Fojin)