The Virtue of Stability

The Foundation of Spiritual Strength

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on October 21, 2022.

Stability is a profound virtue. It encompasses the qualities of being steady, composed, firm, and secure. It is the very essence of a solid and settled mind. Without stability, one is easily swayed by the external environment; with it, one can navigate through crises and emergencies, and only then can one achieve great things in the path of practice.

The Many Facets of Stability

To truly understand stability, we must look at how it manifests in our daily lives and our spiritual journey:

• Steady and Composed: This means to be free from frivolity. It is the ability to move directly forward on the right path without deviation or distraction.
• Holding Firm: This is the capacity to guard the big picture. When you remain firm, you provide a sense of security that brings peace to the hearts of all those around you.
• Stable and Settled: When one is stable, one is naturally settled. This is the mark of great talent and potential. It is the internal manifestation of a practitioner who diligently upholds the Precepts and engages in deep purification.
• Peaceful and Secure: Think of a ship sailing calmly across the vast ocean. Because it is stable, it can navigate the waters safely and reach its destination without being lost.
• Deep and Calm: This is the strength to withstand the onslaught of life's storms. Even when faced with wind and rain, one remains composed and continues to move forward with unwavering resolve.

The Light of Namo Amituofo

When you practise at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are constantly bathed in the stable, radiant light of Namo Amituofo, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Infinite Light. This light is a source of immense protection and guidance.

It is said that those who encounter this light will see their defilements extinguished, their goodness arise, and their bodies and minds become soft and supple. This state of being is the natural condition that all students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre should strive to embody. By remaining stable in your practice, you allow this light to transform you completely, ensuring that you remain on the path to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo