Living in the Present

On the tenth of October, 2020, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound teachings on the essence of living in the present moment.

The Three Pillars of Presence

When you are truly in the present moment, you possess a clear awareness, and your heart will not fall into confusion. When you are truly in the present moment, you are aligned with the Right Way, and your heart will not be led astray by wrong paths. When you are truly in the present moment, you are in a state of purity, and your heart will remain untainted by the dust of the world. This is how one should conduct their practice.

Living in the present is one of the great gateways to liberation. However, how many people can truly achieve this state of being? To understand this, let us look at the example of the monastics during their morning service as they recite the Sutras. When they are reciting, their entire being is focused on the present.

The Discipline of Recitation

To be fully present during the recitation of the Sutras, one must master the coordination of the mouth and the eyes:

• The Mouth in the Present: You must clearly enunciate every single word. Do not let your recitation become muddled or unclear.
• Avoiding Extremes: Those who recite too quickly are often rushing, which reveals an impatient and unsettled heart. Conversely, those who recite too slowly often fall into a state of lethargy or drowsiness. Both extremes are unsuitable for a practitioner.
• Harmonious Unity: It is best to follow the pace set by the lead chanter. When the tone is harmonious and the monastic community recites at a consistent speed, it naturally captures the hearts of all who listen.

The Focus of the Eyes

Your eyes must also be anchored in the present. As you recite, your eyes should follow the text exactly where your voice is currently reading. Do not let your gaze wander here and there. If your eyes and your mouth are not in sync, your heart will inevitably become scattered and restless.

You should strive to reach a state of no-thought and no-deliberation, where your mouth and eyes simply move forward in a straight line with the text. If you allow even a moment of distraction—if your thoughts wander to other things or other people—you may find yourself following the scattered consciousness of ordinary beings. This mental wandering can pull your spirit into other spaces, leading to a state of drowsiness where you can no longer concentrate on the Sutra.

The Path to Achievement

If you can ensure that every single moment of your life is in sync with the Precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom, your practice will surely lead to great achievement. By maintaining this constant state of presence, you will find that the path to awakening becomes clear and accessible.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.