Cherishing Time: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Sacred Value of Time

During the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are reminded of the profound preciousness of our existence. To cherish time is, in essence, to cherish life itself. We must ask ourselves: how do we spend each day that is granted to us? When will the final moment of this life arrive? If you abandon hope and lose your direction, every moment feels like an end. However, if you use every fleeting second with wisdom and Goodness, every moment becomes a fresh beginning. Whether a moment serves as an end or a beginning depends entirely on your heart and your practice. Are you living with intention and clarity, or are you letting your life slip away through complacency and indifference? The choice rests solely within your heart and your practice.

A Life of Devotion

To truly cherish time, you must strive to live in a state of pure, equal, and awakened heart. This is the foundation of a life well-lived. You can cultivate this state through your daily practice:

• Repenting and Prostration: In every bow, engage in deep repenting and offer sincere, devoted worship to the Buddha.
• Chanting the Buddha-name: Recite the Buddha-name with absolute respect, ensuring your mind is free from delusion, distraction, and wandering thoughts.
• Reciting the Sutras: When you recite the Sutras, ensure that every word is clear and understood, and remain vigilant so that you do not become drowsy.
• Service to Others: In your work for the benefit of all beings, cultivate both blessings and wisdom simultaneously, and do not complain of hardship or fatigue.

The Path to Awakening

By dedicating yourself to these practices, you move closer to the goal of your spiritual journey. Your ultimate aim is to practise until you realise your true nature as an awakened being and attain Buddhahood. This is the path of the Bodhisattva: to save yourself and to save all beings, ultimately finding the freedom of rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Let every moment be a step toward this noble destination, ensuring that your time is spent in the light of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.