The Call to Return Home

Life in this world is like a fleeting dream. We often become lost in the pursuit of worldly success, forgetting that our true home lies elsewhere. Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers these words to remind us of the path back to our original nature.

The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Splendour

The waves of life are like the brilliant but temporary glow of lanterns floating upon the water. Our emotions, often mistaken for lasting truths, are as transient as whispered words drifting away with the wind. The clamour of laughter and the noise of the world pass by our ears, yet when we look back, we realise it was all merely a foolish dream. How many of us have spent our lives chasing shadows, only to find that they vanish the moment we try to grasp them?

The Inevitable Passage of Time

Perhaps you have once commanded the winds and rains, or travelled freely to every corner of the world, believing that such experiences would define your existence. Yet, these scenes are merely memories left behind. The relentless passage of time acts as a constant reminder, urging us forward, and our physical appearance changes, never to return to what it once was. We must ask ourselves: what remains when the years have faded away?

Returning to the Source of the True Heart

It is better to return home and seek a pure heart. By letting go of worldly attachments, you may realise a state of cool, refreshing clarity. You are encouraged to enter the Buddha’s gate, cast aside the dust of the mundane world, and search for your original, true heart. Regardless of how deeply you understand the nature of suffering, you must know that your heart is the Buddha, and you are naturally the Buddha. This is the truth that lies within us all, waiting to be rediscovered.

The Compassionate Embrace of Namo Amituofo

Through gradual and diligent practice, your countenance will eventually become as compassionate as the Buddha’s. Your body will manifest the realisation of Bodhi, reflecting the inner peace you have cultivated. Namo Amituofo, our Father, rejoices to see His child returning. Take one step toward the light, and you shall enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo