The Central Connection: Teachings from Lay Practitioner Li Bingnan

The Foundation of Heart-Education

The education of the heart is of the utmost importance. Every action we take and every thought that arises within us originates from the heart. The original nature of all beings is inherently pure and good. It is a state of pristine clarity, transparent and luminous, shining with an inner light. However, because of a single moment of confusion, we begin to engage in various actions, leading to an endless cycle of defilement. By now, these karmic stains have become deeply ingrained. If one wishes to rediscover their original nature, one must diligently wash away these layers of karmic defilement until not a single trace remains. This is the essential work that every practitioner must undertake at this time; only then can one cease the endless, painful cycle of rebirth.

People often look outward, seeking answers to the doubts within their hearts and attempting to satisfy their desires. They even seek novelty and stimulation through external people, objects, and events. Consequently, they drift further and further away from their original nature. Some even fall onto the wrong path and find it difficult to turn back. This is truly a great tragedy.

The Crisis of Unawareness

Most people do not realise that this state of being is, in fact, a profound crisis. Having long forgotten their original nature, they must engage in practice, undergoing constant purification and then more purification. Furthermore, they require the guidance of a virtuous teacher to have any hope of rediscovering their true self. This is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in millions of years.

Expanding Buddhist education overseas is a demanding task that requires sufficient Dharma affinity. At this time, believing in the Buddha is the most important spiritual reliance for any practitioner. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre not only enjoys the true presence of Namo Amituofo but also receives precious teachings directly from Namo Amituofo. In the Buddhist world, such a phenomenon is unheard of. Because of this, some people mistakenly categorise these events as common spirit mediumship or faith healing. However, these two are vastly different.

Distinguishing True Dharma from Spirit Mediumship

The teachings from Namo Amituofo are guided by the goal of helping beings rediscover their true nature and guiding them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. These teachings are tailored to each individual's capacity, providing methods that allow them to resolve their problems and remove their defilements. The prerequisite for this is that one must listen, believe in the Buddha, and believe in oneself. Only then can one truly be free from the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and achieve true liberation.

In contrast, common spirit mediumship involves a spirit taking possession of a medium to answer the questions of believers. Although the intention may be based on goodness, the spirits involved are still ordinary beings trapped within the six realms of rebirth. They remain bodies bound by karma. Therefore, the instructions they provide, the time and money spent, and the results obtained all remain within the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. They are unable to help one transcend the cycle of rebirth.

The Teacher and the Polished Gem

The Pure Land path is a teaching of the Great Vehicle, leading directly into the One Vehicle path to Buddhahood. Those who possess sufficient good roots, blessings, and causal conditions will grasp this path firmly the moment they encounter it. This is the natural manifestation of one whose conditions have matured. If such a person can be guided by a virtuous teacher who is clear-sighted and skilled in observing the capacity of students, they can be corrected where they are lacking. A teacher may even strictly urge them not to be lazy or scattered. When a teacher provides that critical insight that allows a student to awaken, realise their true nature, and manifest the light of their self-nature, it is a great success. This is the dedicated effort of a virtuous teacher, and the student should be deeply grateful for such a harvest.

Virtuous teachers are rare and difficult to encounter, especially in this age of the Dharma’s decline. If one is fortunate enough to meet one, one must hold on tightly, for this is a vital condition for finding one's true nature. For the virtuous teacher, cultivating an awakened being is like polishing a gemstone out of raw ore. This gemstone is not meant to add glory to the teacher, but to allow the light emitted by the gem to sweep away the darkness of the long night, enabling beings in the darkness to see light and hope, and thus escape their suffering.

The Vital Role of the Centre

Today, Practitioner Su is that gemstone, and the Teacher is the one who has carved this gem from the ore. This is the Teacher's greatest achievement in this lifetime, and the Teacher should see this clearly. One must make good use of this gemstone to ensure that the spirit and teachings of the Pure Land, along with the heavy responsibility of saving beings and guiding them to the West, can be inherited and carried forward. Once the gem emits light, it shines regardless of where it is, who it is with, or what the circumstances are. This is a natural phenomenon. Wherever it goes, it is a blessing for all beings. Because of the gem's equality of heart, everything it sees and hears is something it can save, without discrimination between high or low. Regardless of external circumstances, the gem remains unaffected, shining with endless light. It is only because beings have the blessings and the karmic affinity that they can receive this light and be saved. The Teacher's role at this time is extremely important, as the Teacher can use their influence to allow beings who have the necessary blessings and conditions to enter the light of the Buddha, enabling them to chant Namo Amituofo and be reborn in the Western Pure Land as they wish.

The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the essential point of this central connection. Because the Teacher participates in it, all those with whom the Teacher has a karmic affinity become the objects of the Centre's work of salvation. When those with whom the Teacher has an affinity have their good roots, blessings, and causal conditions matured for rebirth, the Teacher must possess great wisdom and clarity, with a heart and intention that remain firm and unwavering. One must seize this opportunity provided by the assistance of Namo Amituofo to secure a genuine chance for one's connected beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This is truly an opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in millions of years.

Please invite Lay Practitioner Ni to seek healing from Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su. This is done, firstly, to save Lay Practitioner Ni, and secondly, to open a path for the development of the Pure Land school.

Li Bingnan