Over these many years at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, we have walked a shared path, experiencing a multitude of events together. We have witnessed the coming and going of the fourfold assembly of disciples, a process that has undoubtedly stirred emotions, reflections, and perhaps even of regret within many hearts. Yet, we must ask ourselves: have we truly learned from these experiences? Have we gained the wisdom to discern what is permissible and what is not?
Your life in this present moment at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is what matters most. Regardless of what has transpired in the past, those events have already faded into history. The past is like floating clouds and a light breeze; it is the present moment that demands your full attention. You must seize every opportunity to chant and focus on the purification of your own body, mind, and spirit.
The Sacred Weight of the Buddha-land
It is essential that you cultivate the habit of thinking well, seeing well, doing well, and speaking well. Beyond this, you must possess a clear understanding of what can be done and what cannot be done. Actions driven by selfishness, or those performed merely to satisfy a fleeting impulse, are strictly to be avoided. You must understand that this place is a sacred Buddha-land; it is not an ordinary environment. Because this is a place where the Buddha truly abides, any created here—whether positive or negative—is magnified and manifests with great clarity.
Conversely, if you conduct yourself in this sacred space according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, your progress will be swift. By disciplining your Body, Speech, and Mind and practising with persistent diligence, you will find that your practice advances significantly, bringing you closer to the possibility of becoming an awakened being.
Discernment in the Sacred Space
What, then, is forbidden in this Buddha-land? Anything that stems from the ego is not to be done. This includes:
Acting upon your personal feelings, subjective , or emotional reactions.
Allowing your personal likes, dislikes, or stubborn personality traits to dictate your behaviour.
Neglecting your daily responsibilities, such as the morning service, prostrations, chanting Namo Amituofo, or reciting the Sutras.
Failing to listen to the , neglecting to attend the Dharma assembly, or avoiding your assigned duties without a valid reason.
Furthermore, you must be extremely cautious regarding the arising of anger. When you allow anger to take hold, when you display a furious countenance, or when you use harsh and abusive language, you open the gates to a million obstacles. This anger acts like a fire that burns down the entire forest of your accumulated merits. Therefore, you must be vigilant and ensure that anger does not arise within you.
The Path of True Practice
To think, see, speak, or act in ways that are harmful is to invite suffering. If you have not yet changed your personality traits, and you allow anger and slander to arise when faced with the challenges of old age or illness, it is a sign that you have not yet succeeded in transforming your karma. Most importantly, regardless of the circumstances, you must never act on impulse or leave the centre arbitrarily. Such actions not only attract the manifestation of karma, but they also invite spiritual attachments from beings and demon crowds, and they disturb the quiet retreats of the entire community. This creates a negative cause; how then can you hope to avoid the resulting evil consequences?
Embracing the Right Way
In contrast, there are noble actions that you must embrace to ensure your progress:
Practise with persistent diligence, letting go of and acting with a selfless heart to serve the community.
Strictly observe the temple rules and uphold the .
Faithfully execute the duties and tasks assigned to you by the temple.
Follow the guidance provided by Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, which includes showing mutual respect, being courteous to others, and practising tolerance toward the mistakes and uncontrollable words or actions of those around you.
You must clearly understand and distinguish between what is permissible and what is not. By following the teachings of Namo Amituofo, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su, you will know what to do and what to avoid. By doing so, you will protect yourself from suffering and the heavy karmic burdens that lead to the hells. In this sacred Buddha-land, by sowing the seeds of self-discipline, you will surely reap the fruit of freedom, clarity, and peace.
