Using Resources Wisely
Teachings from Teacher-Practitioner Xia Lianju
Teachings from Teacher-Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.
On the ninth day of September, 2022, during the first session of the , Teacher-Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound teachings on the nature of resources and how we must navigate our worldly lives.
The Origins of Worldly Fortune
People in this world often admire those who possess great status and wealth. They see these as the ultimate markers of success. However, you must understand that such status and wealth are not accidental. They are the fruits of the Goodness and merit you cultivated in your past lives through the study of the Buddha's teachings. Because you have accumulated these , you are now able to enjoy a life of relative comfort, longevity, and prosperity. These are things that many people envy, yet they are merely the results of your previous actions.
Two Paths for Your Resources
When you possess such resources, how you choose to use them defines your path forward. A wise person understands that these resources are a tool for spiritual growth. There are two distinct ways to handle the wealth and status you have been granted:
- The Path of Depletion: If you use your wealth to cause harm, engage in corrupt acts, or indulge in selfish desires, you are actively depleting your store of blessings. By creating negative , you ensure that once your current blessings are exhausted, you will inevitably face suffering.
- The Path of Accumulation: If you use your wealth to benefit others, practise Generosity, and support all living beings, you are accumulating further merit. This process helps to dissolve your past karma and ensures that your blessings will continue to flourish and grow.
The Limitations of the Material World
However, you must remain clear-sighted. Regardless of how much wealth, status, or worldly success you hold, you remain trapped within the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. These are the inevitable conditions of the six realms of reincarnation. Even the greatest worldly fortune is temporary and cannot protect you from the suffering inherent in samsara. If you rely only on these material resources, you are still bound by the laws of karma and the cycle of reincarnation.
The Path to Eternal Light
If you add the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo to your life, you can transcend these limitations. By dedicating yourself to the Buddha's teachings and sincerely seeking rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, you become like a gentle breeze, moving through the world without obstruction. Your heart becomes pure and filled with Goodness. Through the constant practice of chanting Namo Amituofo, you will eventually reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. There, you will attain Infinite Life, Infinite Light, securing a state of eternal existence and wisdom that never fades.
Namo Amituofo
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