recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the tenth of August, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings:
The Illusion of the Passing Ages
When we look at the long river of time, we find that it has no true beginning. If we consider the five thousand years of Chinese history, we see that the difference between the ancient past and the modern present is merely a thin, fragile line. When we observe the environment of our world, we see that many things change from one era to the next:
The people of different years, dynasties, and nations vary greatly.
Customs and social habits evolve and shift over time.
External appearances, such as clothing, facial features, and physical stature, are constantly changing.
Our modes of communication, including our language, writing, and daily speech, are in a state of constant flux.
Even our internal states—our thoughts, ideas, and the methods we use to navigate life—differ significantly between the past and the present.
How many can truly realise that while these external forms shift like floating clouds, the essence remains untouched?
The Unchanging Nature of the True Self
The true self is entirely different from the world of phenomena. Even if the stars shift their positions and the planets undergo countless cycles of formation, existence, decay, and emptiness, the true self remains constant. It is not born and does not die; it is not defiled and not pure; it is not increasing and not decreasing. From the beginningless past to the endless future, it is always one. It does not change, nor is it diminished or augmented by the passage of time or the shifting of space.
The Eternal of the Enlightened
The vow and practice of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, those who have realised their true nature, and all true spiritual friends to save countless suffering beings remain constant across all time. This commitment does not change. This is because their compassion and Wisdom are rooted in the realisation of and the understanding that all beings are one. Their great, unconditional compassion and their empathy for all living things transcend the limitations of time and space. They are not restricted by the boundaries that we perceive in our daily lives.
The Universal Principle and the Right Way
The Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way do not distinguish between the past, the present, and the future. They are not separated by the boundaries of the Ten Directions of the Realm. They are one, ancient and modern alike. This is the common standard that all beings should follow to find their way home. When we align our lives with these truths, we step out of the cycle of confusion and into the light of .
The Ever-Present Western Land
The of Ultimate Bliss, Namo Amituofo, and the Forty-eight Great Vows are also one, ancient and modern alike. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is a world that manifests from the vow-power and the true self of Namo Amituofo. Together with the Forty-eight Great Vows, it leads beings from the infinite and countless Buddha-worlds of the Ten Directions toward liberation. This includes all beings in the various realms, including our own world and the Earth itself.
A Rare Opportunity for Awakening
Today, Namo Amituofo is residing here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. This is a rare and precious opportunity for all people to engage in practice, to realise their true nature, to leave the six realms of rebirth behind, and to achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. We must cherish this moment and dedicate ourselves to the path of awakening, for the light of the Buddha is shining upon us, guiding us back to our original home.
