Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the sixteenth of February, 2025, during the noon offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance regarding the nature of mentorship and the cultivation of potential.
The Master Scout and the Hidden Talent
In ancient times, the name Bo Le became synonymous with a master talent scout—one who possesses the rare ability to recognise a horse of extraordinary potential. A true Thousand-Mile Horse is capable of travelling vast distances in a single day, yet if it remains within a common herd without being recognised, its gifts may go unnoticed. It might be mistaken for an ordinary horse, left undernourished, and denied the strength required for its true purpose. In such circumstances, its greatness remains buried and unfulfilled.
Bo Le, however, is the one who can identify such a horse at a single glance. Once identified, he provides the necessary training and care. Under his guidance, the horse truly transforms into a magnificent steed, capable of galloping across the earth and covering a thousand miles in a single day.
The Nurturing Care of a True Mentor
A master mentor understands the unique personality and specific needs of the disciple. This level of care is comprehensive and deeply intuitive:
Attentive Listening: By hearing the cries of the horse, the mentor immediately understands the nature of its distress or challenges.
Proper Nourishment: The mentor knows exactly how much sustenance is required, ensuring the horse is well-fed and capable of completing long, arduous journeys to its destination.
Calming the Mind: Before the horse shows signs of anxiety or restlessness, the mentor provides comfort, allowing it to pass through difficult times with a peaceful heart.
Restorative Rest: When the horse shows signs of exhaustion, the mentor provides immediate relief, allowing it to recover its strength in the shortest possible time.
Encouragement: When the horse feels helpless, the mentor offers gentle encouragement, helping it to regain its spirit and charge forward with full force.
It is through this dedicated care and support that the Thousand-Mile Horse is able to fully realise its potential, overcome obstacles, and achieve its purpose. While horses of great potential are common, a true Bo Le is rare. It is only through the presence of such a mentor that the true talent of the horse can be brought to light.
Cultivating Potential at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre
Today, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, every member of the fourfold assembly is like a Thousand-Mile Horse. Each of you is a person of talent, possessing unique capabilities and virtues. Under the protection of Namo Amituofo, the guidance of the teachers, the support of Practitioner Su, and the watchful eyes of the protectors, you are learning to navigate your individual personalities and life challenges.
It is within this environment that you are encouraged to grow and mature. We hope that you will fully manifest the strength of a noble steed, capable of both steady progress and swift advancement. May you all reach the stage of an awakened being, achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth. When you dedicate your efforts to spreading the Pure Land teachings and helping all beings find rebirth in the Western Pure Land, you are creating the greatest possible blessing for all sentient beings.
