How do we purify our minds so we can remain forever young?

This is a good question. The sutras tell us that anything that has a physical image is unreal. We can apply or use these physical images, but we cannot foster attachments for them. Attachments create impurity in our mind, deterring us from achieving enlightenment. This applies to all forms of practice in Buddhism. Even the Pure Land School, which many agree is the easiest to practice, requires that although one who wishes to be born into the Pure Land can take their remaining karma with them, they cannot have any existing worries or attachments.  Therefore, a person with worries or attachments cannot transcend the cycle of birth and death.  Life becomes harder as we pass through the cycles of rebirth.

Earlier in this talk, I spoke of filial piety.  Up until 1995, the only attachment I had left was for my ninety-one year old mother, who lived in China. When I met with her about ten years earlier in Hong Kong, I persuaded her to practice the Buddha Name Chanting Method.  When I spoke with her on the telephone several years ago, she still had strong attachments for her sons and grandchildren. Not until a year ago did she finally let go of all attachments. She told me that she had seen Buddha Amitabha twice and Guan Yin Bodhisattva once. In addition, she had prior knowledge of when she would be leaving this world. On May 29, 1995, she passed on and was born into the Western Pure Land. At her funeral, people were aware of a radiant glow and a pleasing yet unfamiliar fragrance.  Her complexion appeared similar to that of a live person. After eight days, her body was still soft.  Upon her cremation, more than three hundred sharira, or relics, were found.  All this is evidence that she had been successfully born into the Pure Land.

In conclusion, once we are rid of worries and attachments we can go to the Western Pure Land whenever we wish. By maintaining a pure, non-discriminating, compassionate and kind heart, one holds the key to remaining youthful.

(Adapted from http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/artliv12.pdf)