The Spinning Top of Life

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

November 25, 2023

The Endless Motion of Existence

Life is akin to a spinning top. Once the cord is drawn, it begins to spin. Some tops lose their momentum quickly and come to a halt, while others spin for a considerable duration, dancing across the floor with apparent ease. The more refined one’s skills, the longer one can maintain this motion. This is a reflection of every human life. Within the span of our existence—whether it be long or short—we are constantly spinning, moving from one task to another, forever busy and never finding a moment of true rest.

What Remains at the Final Breath?

As we spin through this life, we must pause to ask ourselves: when we are busy until our very last breath, what is it that we are actually doing? What is it that we are truly accomplishing? When that final moment arrives, what can we actually take with us? The truth is that we cannot take anything. Everything we have laboured for, everything we have clung to, must be left behind in this world.

The Burden of Our Actions

If we spend our entire lives in a state of restless activity while we have a physical body, but fail to cultivate our spirit, what do we carry into the next stage of existence? We carry only the heavy burden of our karma and our transgressions. A spirit without a body must then face the consequences of its actions in this world. If one falls into the Three Evil Realms or suffers in the hells, it is truly a tragic outcome. However, if one departs this life carrying only goodness and purity, one may enjoy heavenly blessings. This is indeed a great fortune.

The Path of True Goodness

We must remember that we live in the Five Turbidities and Evil World, where it is not easy to perform acts of goodness. To truly cultivate goodness, one must adhere to these principles:

• Sincerity of Heart: Your actions must be rooted in a genuine, sincere heart, not in superficial gestures.
• Righteous Intent: The recipient of your Generosity must also be engaged in goodness; your support should not inadvertently encourage or facilitate evil.

Only when these conditions are met can you truly receive the blessings and merits of your actions. Otherwise, even an act of Generosity may result in the growth of negative habits and the accumulation of karmic retribution. Therefore, understand that every act of Generosity is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. May you always choose the path of wisdom and purity.

Namo Amituofo