The Eternal Call to Diligent Practice

The Eternal Call to Diligent Practice

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on the twenty-first of December, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers this profound guidance on the nature of our spiritual journey.

What is the essence of the Path of Diligent Practice? It is the constant, unwavering effort to progress in one's spiritual cultivation. This diligence has no end, much like the life of the spirit itself, which exists beyond the constraints of beginning or end. We must understand that our true self travels through the cycle of rebirth alone. We have wandered for countless lifetimes, but we must ask ourselves: when will this wandering cease, and where is our true home?

The Wandering Spirit’s Quest for Home

The answer to this question is found only when one realises their true self. Upon reaching this state of awakening, one comes to a profound realisation: the spirit has never truly come or gone; it is always present. The present moment is the only time to stop the cycle of wandering. When we cease to be deceived by the illusions of the world, the mind becomes still and unmoving. We then clearly perceive that all coming and going are merely manifestations of illusion.

If you can see this truth, even while you remain within the world of illusion, you will no longer be lost or confused by it. Your precious spiritual life will then merge with the vastness of the Dharma, entering into a state of oneness.

Returning to the Radiance of the Western Pure Land

Once you have found your true home, you can return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and enter directly into the Land of Eternal Tranquil Light. From that place of peace, you will know exactly where suffering beings are waiting for your help, and you will be able to go wherever you are needed to save them.

The Urgent Call of Impermanence

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva once offered a warning to all beings, a verse that serves as a vital reminder of our situation: "This day has already passed, and our life force diminishes accordingly. We are like fish in a pool with dwindling water; what joy can there be in such a state? All of you must practise with diligence, as if saving your own head from fire. Always be mindful of impermanence, and do not be negligent."

This is the honest truth spoken by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. It is in accordance with the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path. This reality holds true in every time and every space throughout the universe. As long as impermanence exists, our lives remain fragile, hanging by a single thread. If our breath stops, everything we possess in this world cannot be taken with us. We will depart just as we arrived—empty-handed and alone.

Seizing the Precious Moment of Encounter

How rare it is to encounter the Buddha in this world! How fortunate it is to hear the true words of the Buddha! At this very moment, here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you have encountered Namo Amituofo and have heard the teachings of the Buddha. Do not let this opportunity pass by lightly. You must focus your heart and exert your full strength in your practice. If you fear that your diligence is not enough, you must be even more courageous in your efforts to rediscover your true self. Namo Amituofo.