Awakening from the Swaying of Slumber: Teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
The Swaying of the Slumbering Mind
During the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound guidance on the state of our practice. He began with a gentle metaphor: when a child is held in the arms of their parents, the parents rock them back and forth, hoping that the child will sleep soundly and grow strong. However, for the fourfold assembly of disciples, this swaying takes on a different, more urgent meaning. When you are walking and chanting Namo Amituofo, if you find your body swaying, it is often a sign of . You are physically moving, yet your mind is drifting into a state of unconsciousness. This swaying is a call to wake up; it is a signal that you must not let your precious time pass in a state of lethargy.
The Compassionate Guidance of Practitioner Su
The students of Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre are like children in the hands of Practitioner Su. He watches over you with deep , gently shaking your body or tapping your head, hoping that you will awaken and cease your slumber. He hopes that you will realise your true nature and stop wandering in the fog of confusion. This guidance is not meant to be harsh, but is a manifestation of the teacher's desire to see you succeed in your practice. He wishes for you to awaken to the truth and to stop being lost in the illusions of the world.
The Lion’s Roar of Wisdom
If you continue to sway and cannot wake up, you require powerful assistance. This is where the Lion’s Roar of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends becomes necessary. It is a teaching meant to shake the stubborn and difficult-to-tame beings, guiding them back to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Like the Sword of Wisdom of Manjushri , this teaching cuts through your afflictions and severs the threads of emotion. It is a swift blade that clears away the confusion, ensuring your heart remains unpolluted and unobstructed by the dust of the world.
Walking the Path of Purity
To practise the Pure Land path in this world means to walk through the world without being lost by it. You must touch the hearts of all beings, yet never be swayed or confused by them. This is what it means to walk in purity. If you sway and still do not wake, you need the stick and shout—a direct, firm correction to bring you back to the present moment. If even this does not wake you, then the teacher must provide constant, earnest reminders. If, after all these efforts, you still do not awaken, then one must simply follow the conditions and see what your own brings. May you cherish every moment and remain steadfast in your devotion to Namo Amituofo.
Namo Amituofo
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