Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On October 27, 2023, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following teachings on the essence of our spiritual journey.
The Illusion of Mundane Existence
What is the true purpose of our practice? Why do we embark on this journey? We must first understand why we have come to this world. Are we here merely to suffer through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, only to be tossed about by forces beyond our control? Are we here simply to settle the debts of our past , whether by paying back what we owe, collecting what is due to us, or responding to past kindnesses and grievances?
If we live our lives only to endure physical and mental trauma, tasting the bitterness and sweetness of worldly experiences, we are merely drifting. We marry, raise children, and seek to satisfy our and our attachment to . In doing so, we accumulate a lifetime of negative karma. If we continue in this way, we will find it impossible to escape the pressures of suffering. When our lives end, we risk falling into the Three Evil Realms of reincarnation. Everything we experience in this state is merely passing through suffering.
Finding the Truth Within
Even if one enjoys wealth, status, and luxury in this life, these are only the fruits of Generosity practised in the past. We must realise that the true purpose of this human life is to leave suffering behind and ensure we do not suffer again. Everything in this world is an illusion; only by searching for and rediscovering our true self can we find what is real.
What then, should we be practising? We must focus on the following goals:
Liberation from the cycle of reincarnation:
We must strive to break free from the cycle of rebirth and end the suffering of life and death.Transcending the Physical:
We aim to reach a state where we are no longer subject to aging or sickness, where our spirit never dies, and we are reborn in the of Ultimate Bliss.Transforming :
We must work to overcome our negative personality traits and change our habits.True Cultivation: We must use this false, impermanent life to cultivate the truth and awaken our lost original nature.
The Path of and Wisdom
Our practice is not for ourselves alone. It is a path of mutual salvation, where we save ourselves while helping others to leave suffering behind and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. We must engage in the following diligent practices:
The Forty-eight Great Vows:
We must study and embody the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo to save all beings.Faith, Vows, and Practice:
We must cultivate firm Faith, make sincere Vows, and engage in dedicated Practice, including the development of (Enlightenment) and single-minded chanting of Namo Amituofo to ensure our rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.The :
We must uphold the (Discipline), deepen our meditative concentration, and cultivate wisdom.Virtuous Conduct:
We must practise compassion and patience, ensuring that we do not let our anger burn down our forest of merits.Service to Others:
We must serve the community with humility, letting go of arrogance and the desire to be superior to others.Gratitude and Contentment:
We must cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment, which leads to constant .Deep Concentration:
We must chant Namo Amituofo with such diligence that we enter a state of deep peace and wisdom.The Six Perfections:
We must embody the Six Perfections of the Bodhisattvas.Overcoming Obstacles: We must learn to transcend physical disabilities, physical suffering, and the various tests that life presents to our bodies.
The Ultimate Goal of Buddhahood
By engaging in these practices until our hearts are perfectly pure and perfectly good, we will see our true nature and complete the Buddha's path. May we follow the path of Namo Amituofo throughout this life. May we see our true nature, propagate the Pure Land teachings, and help all confused beings understand the truth of the universe. May we all fulfill our wish to return to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.
