Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.
May 29, 2022.
My dear children, have you reached the state of an awakened being? To truly realise your true nature, you must first be tempered by the various trials of life. These trials are not meant to hinder you, but to refine your spirit so that you may finally learn to recognise your own shortcomings, cultivate a humble and modest heart, and engage in the vital work of repenting and changing your ways.
The Necessary Trials of the Path
Without these tests, it is difficult to avoid suffering or to walk firmly upon the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. You must understand that you will encounter four distinct types of examinations on your journey:
Demon tests: Challenges that arise to tempt your resolve or stir your internal .
Environmental tests: Difficult situations in your surroundings that test your patience and .
Beings tests: Interactions with other beings that reveal your attachments and hidden biases.
Buddha tests: The ultimate test of your sincerity and faith in the teachings of .
Only by passing through these fires can you learn to let go of the arrogance that has long clouded your heart. Many of you have spent lifetimes believing that your own actions, thoughts, and are always correct. You have forgotten the wisdom that there is always someone better; there is always a higher authority. You have forgotten the necessity of being taught and the urgency of changing your ways.
The Roots of Suffering
If you have not committed negative causes in the past, you would not be experiencing the physical and mental suffering you face today. Whether you are struggling with illness, the infirmities of age, or the painful inability to let go of your physical form, these are all manifestations of past . You may find yourself in a difficult position where you know you have erred, yet you find it nearly impossible to change. This is the weight of your past actions pressing upon your present life.
Resolution at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre
My dear children, please understand that all such difficulties can be resolved. At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, under the compassionate guidance of Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and myself, there is a way forward. However, this resolution requires your full cooperation and sincerity.
You must be willing to face your own faults directly. When you are presented with teachings, you must have the courage to admit where you have gone wrong. Especially when you have violated the , you must acknowledge that a negative cause has been planted and that you must now experience the resulting evil consequences. If you do not take the step of admitting your faults, you may even need to openly repent before the fourfold assembly of disciples. This act of humility is the only way to stop the suffering caused by these evil consequences, or at the very least, to ensure that a heavy karmic debt is repaid through a lighter experience.
The True Meaning of Humility
Facing teachings does not mean that you are inferior or that you are being belittled. On the contrary, it is a sign that your heart is becoming pure. It shows that you are capable of receiving good words, good advice, and good teachings. Do not let a momentary attachment to your pride or a desire to save face cause you to lose this precious opportunity to wash away your dust and remove your impurities. Please, cherish this chance to return to your original nature and walk the path of light.
