The Nature of Spiritual Life

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on 21 May 2022.

The Essence of Our Spiritual Being

Within the physical body resides a spirit that is neither born nor destroyed. This spirit is a complete entity, composed of three hun souls and seven po souls. When these souls are scattered or incomplete, the spirit lacks the necessary cohesion to function properly. This fragmentation manifests in various states of disharmony, such as:

• A sense of mental confusion or lethargy
• An inability to focus or concentrate
• A loss of self-control and autonomy
• Incoherent or disordered speech

Maintaining Clarity Amidst the Storm of Suffering

When the heart is troubled by karmic causes, physical suffering becomes inevitable. In the midst of such pain, one must ask: can the spirit remain clear and bright? The true quality of one's spirit is revealed by its ability to remain untainted by the suffering of the body. It must not be dragged down or influenced by the physical pain of birth, aging, sickness, and death. To remain unaffected by these physical conditions is to demonstrate the true quality of the spirit.

The Autonomy of a Purified Spirit

The more purified and virtuous a spirit is, the higher its level of autonomy. Such a spirit is not easily swayed by the decline of the physical body. It maintains its inherent quality regardless of the body's condition. The Buddha represents the highest quality of spiritual life. Among all Buddhas, Namo Amituofo—the Universal Buddha—is the most honoured among all lights and the King of Buddhas. He possesses the highest spiritual quality, and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, which he established, is the realm of the highest spiritual life.

A Rare Opportunity for Awakening

Today, Namo Amituofo is residing at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This is an encounter that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. Those who understand the Dharma and hear the Dharma are truly blessed with great wisdom. You should make your vows, chant Namo Amituofo, and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo.