How Shall We Continue Our Journey?

The Thrice Yearning Ceremony serves as a profound opportunity to reflect upon the nature of our existence and the ultimate purpose of our spiritual journey. During the third session held on 15 January 2021, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided essential guidance on how we should navigate our remaining time in this world.

The Fragility of the Physical Form

How should one continue the remainder of one's life? We must realise that life has a natural end, and our physical bodies are limited by time. Many believe the length of our lives is preordained. If we are governed solely by the momentum of our past karma, it is difficult to take control of our own journey.

The Heart as the Master of Destiny

However, the difference lies in the heart, and this is no mere dream. When you possess true meditative concentration within your heart, you will not be swept away by the waves of samsara. When Namo Amituofo is always in your heart and never leaves your side, you can attain freedom over the length of your life. Once this journey of life concludes, you will bid farewell to the dusty, mundane world and enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Responding to Karmic Obstacles

When your past karma manifests, your personality may flare up. Often, your habits are driven by the body rather than the heart. How can you find a solution? You must take the following steps:

• Immediately awaken to the situation.
• Raise the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo.
• Ask yourself: What is the purpose of my practice?
• Do not let your karma take control.
• Stop the cycle of karma immediately through prostrations and repentance.

The Unwavering Path of Diligence

From this moment until the very end, how should you proceed? You must engage in diligent practice and move forward without any path of retreat. This courageous, unremitting effort is your responsibility. Regardless of the storms or trials you encounter along the way, your faith must remain unshakable. By upholding the Precepts, you will attain meditative concentration, and the light of wisdom will manifest. This is the only path to true practice. Let us cherish every moment, keeping Namo Amituofo at the centre of our lives, and walk the path of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

This message was recorded by the chief writer, Buddhist disciple Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo