Abiding in the Present Moment

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, these teachings were delivered by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju on the nineteenth of September, two thousand and twenty-one, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony.

The Foundation of Time and Mind

Each passing moment serves as the fundamental building block for the past, the present, and the future. Within the present moment, there exist infinite possibilities, all of which originate from the depths of your heart. The heart is boundless and possesses the profound capacity to manifest ten thousand phenomena. It can dwell upon thoughts of Goodness or thoughts of evil; it can generate countless desires, complex thoughts, and varied actions.

The Dangers of an Unrestrained Heart

If you allow your heart to follow every whim and worldly desire, you will inevitably accumulate layers of spiritual dust. You will find yourself trapped in the cycle of worldly life, burdened by the consequences of your own attachments. To avoid this, you must learn to cultivate a heart that is calm and steady, grounded in meditative concentration. You must actively manage your karmic tendencies and your worldly, distracted mind.

The Path to True Stillness

Do not allow yourself to commit evil deeds; instead, focus your energy on cultivating Goodness and performing virtuous acts. Let the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo flow through your heart and accompany your every action without interruption. In every thought, align yourself with the Buddha. By doing so, you will eventually enter the state of no-mind and no-thought. This is the path you must walk. By abiding fully in each present moment, you achieve success in the here and now, which is the very moment of awakened being.

Namo Amituofo.