The Path of True Repentance and Returning Home

During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings on the nature of repenting and the urgency of our spiritual journey.

The Heavy Burden of Regret

Regret often arrives only after the deed is done. We find ourselves looking back and asking, "Why did I act that way in the beginning?" The actions we took in the past are the burdens we bear in this life. This is the manifestation of karma, and we must accept the consequences that follow. Because we cannot master our own hearts, we let our days slip away in confusion. Consequently, we are reincarnated for yet another lifetime.

The Lost Opportunity of the Awakened Being

We regret not being diligent when the conditions were right. We let the precious opportunity of becoming an awakened being slip through our fingers. Kneeling before the Buddha, we feel deep shame for failing to honour the Buddha's grace. Yet, you must understand that true repenting is not merely feeling shame; it is the act of changing your ways. We regret that we descended from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to this human world. We came with the vow to save those connected by karmic affinity and guide them back to our true home. Instead, we have become lost, lingering in the emotions of the human world. Lifetime after lifetime, we remain trapped in bodies bound by karmic retribution.

The Urgent Call to Return

How can we return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and see our Compassionate Father, Namo Amituofo? When our breath stops, where will we go? We leave behind only the Three Evil Realms, where we must endure endless suffering. We tumble repeatedly through the Five Desires and the Six Dusts. In our obsession, we have forgotten the path that leads back home.

Aligning with the Universal Truth

If you wish to live without regret, you must clarify your heart. You must naturally align your life with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. To become an awakened being is to understand that all is empty. When you recognise this truth, you will no longer act in violation of the Right Way. In every situation, you will be at ease, acting in accordance with the flow of the universe. With every chant of Namo Amituofo, your heart will be in sync with the Buddha. Finally, in this life, you will fulfil your vow. Our Compassionate Father, Namo Amituofo, will come to receive you and guide you back to our true home.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.