Facing All Circumstances with Equanimity and Stability

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

October 24, 2021.

My dear children,

The Foundation of a Stable Heart

Whatever circumstances may manifest before you, you must face them with a heart of equanimity and stability. If you feel your mind beginning to rise and fall with waves of emotion, you must immediately cultivate awareness. Return quickly to your inner state and practise introspection. At the same time, chant the name of Namo Amituofo to settle your heart and stabilise your mind. Do not be led astray by external circumstances or the appearances that manifest before you, for these will only disturb your inner purity.

Returning to the Inner Sanctuary

You must uphold the Precepts, maintain meditative concentration, and allow wisdom to arise. You must be diligent in chanting the Buddha's name, using the Buddha-name to bring peace and stability to your heart.

The Essential Skill of Equanimity

For all of you, the skills of equanimity and stability are essential conditions for halting the manifestation of negative karma and preventing karmic creditors from appearing. If you lack equanimity and stability, your mind will create waves. This invites karma and karmic creditors to manifest, making it difficult to stop the suffering of old age, sickness, and other karmic burdens. You must be extremely cautious in this regard!

Wisdom in the Face of Challenges

If your heart can remain equanimous and you attain meditative concentration, then any external circumstance will also be calm, stable, and unable to disturb you. When a test manifests before you, if you can face it with equanimity and stability, this is true wisdom. You will be able to pass through such challenges safely and peacefully. Namo Amituofo.