During the morning kinhin, or walking meditation, the following discourse was received from . As a disciple, I humbly recorded these words, seeking the Buddha's compassionate guidance for all sentient beings.
The Endless Wandering of the Soul
Where are you going in this vast, boundless expanse? You have wandered for countless lifetimes, yet you have found no true place to call home, no place where you can truly take refuge. How many times have you acted in this way, drifting through the cycle of rebirth? You have never truly possessed the power to command the world, yet you have often called out, hoping to be heard by the masses. How many cycles of samsara have you already passed through in this manner?
The Prison We Build Ourselves
Today, you find yourself a prisoner, yet no one has truly imprisoned you. You have become your own jailer. There are countless people just like you, trapped by their own attachments, filling the space between us. Day after day, these moments pass before your eyes. If you observe them closely, you will see that they are merely reflections of your own self.
A Beacon in the Realm
However, here at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, the fragrance of the Dharma permeates all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm. The light of the Buddha shines everywhere, leaving no corner in darkness. Why is this place able to lead and save so many beings? It is because the heart of the Buddha resonates with the Buddha-land, encompassing the suffering of all spirits and sentient beings.
The Unfolding of Cause and Effect
Most beings do not understand what true suffering is. They only recognise the physical and mental illnesses that arise as the fruit of their past actions. Your own karmic obstacles are about to manifest. It is a fundamental truth that every cause you plant will eventually bear fruit. Goodness and evil alike will arrive when the conditions are ripe. Your heart is the master, and your intentions dictate the path you take. Everything spoken within the Dharma Realm is the absolute Truth.
Returning to the Source
The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has set sail, with Namo Amituofo guiding the way. We are a bright lamp shining amidst the turbidity and pollution of this world. Our light shines across the great thousand-fold world, and we have already sent countless beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Even when the frost of hardship enters the hearts of the many, the light of the Buddha remains. Those who are lost in the light often forget the cold of the frost; they see only the darkness and fail to see the path ahead. Yet, if you follow the light, you will see the entire room filled with radiance. Look closely at what is before you now. How many spirits of the past, how many of your own family members, are still drifting through the Dharma Realm? Namo Amituofo calls out to you: please return home. Return, and together we shall spread the teachings of the Pure Land.
The Path of Selfless Devotion
The temple is a ship sailing through the Dharma Realm. How many suffering beings are waiting with earnest hope? We must be willing to dedicate our body, mind, and spirit to the service of all beings. Only then will they have the opportunity to be saved. You have been stained by the defilements of many lifetimes. Shakyamuni Buddha once spoke of this: when the time came for him to attain under the Bodhi tree, the demon crowds came to disturb the field. How can you avoid such trials when they come? You must practise , , and Selfless Giving at every moment. You must see that all beings are as yourself, and you are as them. You and I are one; there is no distinction. This is the true meaning of oneness. If you can see this, you will find your way. Even if your body faces difficulties, you must resolve to understand the wishes of all beings. You may even need to walk through fire, but you must move forward without looking back. This is the path of living only for others, with no thought of .
