Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the seventeenth of November, 2024, during the first session of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these compassionate teachings to the fourfold assembly.
The Essence of Absolute Faith
I ask you all today: Do you truly believe in the Buddha? When I speak of faith, I mean a sincere, unwavering belief—a faith so profound that not even a single thread of doubt remains in your heart. If you can truly align your actions with the words of the Buddha, you will surely reap immeasurable benefits. When the Buddha walked this world, countless followers accompanied Him. They were able to hear His teachings, which flowed like a river of , perfectly suited to the time, the occasion, and the capacity of those listening. Beyond these human followers, there were also boundless numbers of beings from the spiritual realms who gathered with deep reverence to hear the Dharma.
The Living Presence of the Buddha
Today, we are blessed because Namo Amituofo is residing here at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Our Buddha is filled with infinite . The Dharma sounds of the Buddha have been captured in these written words, expressing exactly what He wishes to convey to all of you. This is truly precious. You should treat these words with the same reverence as if the Buddha were standing before you in this world, speaking directly to your heart. The Buddha understands that throughout your accumulated lifetimes, you have become deeply accustomed to , personal ego, and selfishness. You have spent eons believing in this false self and acting according to the dictates of your .
Releasing the Shackles of the False Self
Now, you are asked to let go of this self. You are asked to release the ego entirely and place one hundred per cent of your faith in the Buddha. I realise this does not seem like an easy task. It is difficult because you do not yet fully understand that this self is merely a temporary illusion. to your true nature is the only way to rediscover your authentic self. By clinging tightly to this false sense of self, you remain trapped in the cycle of rebirth, turning endlessly without rest. Therefore, if you truly seek to escape the cycle of rebirth, you must place your faith in the Buddha.
The Practical Path to Liberation
What does it mean to have faith? To have faith is to believe, to accept, and to put those teachings into practice. When you follow the Buddha’s instructions, you are engaging in a method designed to solve the very problems that plague your existence. If you hear these teachings, you must believe in the Buddha and act upon them with diligence. The Buddha possesses the wisdom to perceive the past, the present, and the future. Because of this, the methods He provides are the keys to your liberation:
If you follow the Buddha’s guidance, you will find the answers to your deepest questions.
If you implement the methods He suggests, your problems will be resolved.
If you choose not to follow these methods, you must ask yourself: can you truly find peace? Or will you simply continue to suffer? If you do not resolve these issues in this lifetime, you will be forced to face them in the next. You will continue to cycle through existence until you finally confront the truth and find the answers you seek.
The Ultimate Promise of the Pure Land
Believe in the Buddha, for He is the one who has attained perfect awakening and complete practice. When you follow the methods taught by the Buddha, you move forward step by step. Through this practice, the burdens of age can be eased, the suffering of illness can be resolved, and most importantly, you can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is the Buddha’s deepest wish that every being can attain the state of leaving suffering and gaining happiness, and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo.
