Living with Ease and Freedom: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The True Meaning of Freedom

To live with ease and freedom means that your heart and mind are no longer bound by external constraints. It signifies that you have attained a state of true autonomy, where you are no longer dominated or controlled by the heavy weight of your past karma. When you reach this state, you are truly the master of your own life, moving through the world with a spirit that is unburdened and clear.

In our daily lives, we often feel trapped by circumstances, yet we fail to realise that these circumstances are merely the ripening of our own karmic seeds. To break free from this cycle, one must first understand that true freedom is not the ability to satisfy every worldly desire, but the ability to remain unswayed by the pull of the six realms of reincarnation.

The Infinite Life of the Western Land

Consider the magnificent lifespan of those who reside in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. As described in the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra), the Buddha tells us:

• Those who are reborn in the Land of Infinite Life experience happiness without limit.
• They have permanently uprooted the very source of birth and death, and they no longer suffer from the afflictions of worry or distress.
• Their lifespan extends for countless eons, and they live with complete ease and freedom, according to their own wishes.

In the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, your lifespan is infinite, and you may live for as long as you choose. This is truly an inconceivable state of existence. This vow was made by Dharmakara Bhikshu, who observed that beings in other worlds have lifespans of varying lengths. He saw that many practitioners, despite their sincere efforts, were unable to complete their journey to Buddhahood before their physical bodies reached the end of their time, leading to deep regret. Out of his boundless compassion for all beings, he made this Great Vow to ensure that every being in the Western Land would have an infinite lifespan to continue their practice and successfully attain Buddhahood.

Seeing Through the Illusion of the Body

It is the deepest desire of every being to live with such ease and freedom. However, most beings are driven by their karma, moving through life without realising the true nature of their existence. We often mistake the temporary for the permanent, clinging tightly to the five aggregates:

• Form: Our physical body and the material world.
• Feelings: The sensations of pleasure, pain, or neutrality.
• Perceptions: The mental images and ideas we form.
• Mental Formations: The habits and volitional activities of our mind.
• Consciousness: The underlying awareness that processes all experiences.

Because we are deeply attached to these sensations and physical experiences, we find it difficult to let go. Without the guidance of Buddhist education, we cannot understand the truth of our situation. We do not realise that this human body is merely a temporary vessel, nor do we understand the importance of using this false body to cultivate the truth. Consequently, we remain lost in the cycle of reincarnation, suffering endlessly as we wander from one life to the next.

The Path of Hsiang Kuang

Today, you have the opportunity to engage in the magnificent practice offered here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. We encourage you to be fiercely diligent and persistent in your efforts. Do not let your practice become stagnant or lazy. By focusing your mind and heart, you can work towards the goal of early awakening and seeing your true nature.

When you achieve this, you will be able to save yourself and help countless other beings to attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Even while you remain in this human world, you will find that you can live a life of true ease and freedom, guided by the wisdom of the Buddha. Let us continue to chant Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart, keeping our focus on the path that leads to ultimate liberation.

Namo Amituofo