The Wisdom of the Earth Element
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Dharma Assembly for World Peace and Disaster Relief, 22 September 2019
The Earth as Our Mother
On the twenty-second of September, 2019, during the assembly for world peace and disaster relief, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings. The Earth is our mother, and the Heavens are our father. Between these two, all spirits dwell. We must deeply understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, for they govern the rhythm of all existence.
All things are born from the Earth. She embraces every being without discrimination, offering her support to all. Even when we tread upon her, she remains silent, never uttering a sound of complaint. She witnesses the entirety of our human experience, including the joys and angers that stir our hearts, the sorrows and happiness that define our days, the bitterness and suffering that arise daily, and the seven emotions and that have become common in our lives.
The Harmony of the Human Form
Partings and reunions occur at every moment, and good and evil deeds arise from one another in a constant cycle. Therefore, we must maintain kind thoughts and speak kind words. We must act with caution and align ourselves with the way of Heaven and Earth. Our human body—our muscles, bones, and skeletal frame—is a manifestation of the Earth element, formed by a combination of multiple .
Our blood vessels, nerves, and sinews are all contained within this physical form. In our every action—whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down—we must be mindful of our Body, Speech, and Mind.
Gratitude and True Cultivation
The four elements of this world are but illusory appearances. Every second and every fleeting moment is marked by impermanence. We must cultivate a heart of gratitude for the silent grace of the Earth. The spirits of the land from the continents, Taiwan, and Hong Kong—those who have been here for hundreds or thousands of years—have come to the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre seeking to be saved and reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
We must practise non-action and learn to let go of this false body. Using the false to cultivate the true is the path of wisdom. When the heart of wisdom is present, everything becomes perfect and complete. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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