The Wisdom of Accepting Counseling

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

The Vital Importance of Receptive Listening

When a true spiritual friend offers you counseling, you must listen with an open and receptive heart. Only by truly listening can you find the precious opportunity to change your ways and correct your past mistakes. Many people struggle to progress because they are unwilling to hear the truth about their own shortcomings, yet this guidance is the very key to unlocking your potential for spiritual growth.

Unmasking the Ego and Deep-Rooted Habits

When you commit a mistake, you may often find yourself acting without awareness or control. This is usually because your negative habits have accumulated over a long period. The 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness have become deeply ingrained patterns, causing you to commit errors without even realising that you are doing so. You are trapped in a cycle of unconscious behaviour, repeating the same mistakes because you have not yet learned to observe your own mind with clarity.

The Sacred Moment of Repentance

When a true spiritual friend points out your faults, it is not a time for defensiveness. Instead, it is the perfect moment for repenting and changing your ways. You must look inward, reflect upon your actions, and acknowledge your mistakes with sincerity. This act of self-reflection is the foundation of all genuine practice. By facing your errors directly, you begin to dissolve the barriers that have long hindered your path to awakening.

The Compassionate Support of the Centre

As students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are blessed with the unique advantage of this environment. You have the opportunity to sincerely invite spirits to the temple, where they can receive Chao Du and resolve the conflict that exists between you. When your karma manifests and your karmic creditors appear, you may find it difficult to maintain control, often leading to the creation of further negative karma. By participating in these ceremonies, you receive the support needed to assist in your purification and the removal of your spiritual obstacles.

Cultivating Gratitude for Spiritual Growth

The opportunity to receive sincere, compassionate counseling is rare; it is something that can be encountered but cannot be demanded. If you find yourself reacting with anger or a resentful expression when being corrected, you must immediately repent for this reaction. Instead, you should hold gratitude in your heart. When you accept counseling with a sincere mind and commit to changing your ways, you will find that your practice begins to flourish. This is the only way to ensure that your spiritual journey is one of constant progress and true transformation.

Namo Amituofo