Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, during the midday offering of the on July 6, 2024, these teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offer a guiding light for all practitioners.
The Radiance of Goodness
To walk in this world is to carry the responsibility of spreading goodness. Every action we take, every word we speak, and every intention we hold should be rooted in the seeds of virtue. When we perform good deeds, when we conduct ourselves with integrity, and when we maintain a heart of pure kindness, we are actively purifying the environment around us. We are, in essence, scattering the seeds of goodness into the soil of this world.
What does it mean to go straight ahead? It means to move forward with a heart that is unburdened by the calculations of the ego. Each one of us possesses the potential of a Buddha. When we dedicate ourselves to saving the world and rescuing countless suffering beings, we must do so with a direct and unwavering spirit. We must not fear suffering a loss, for it is through diligent practice that we continue to purify our hearts. By doing so, we will eventually see our true self-nature and realise the Buddha nature within us.
The Wisdom of Suffering a Loss
In our daily lives, people often feel the need to plan every move, to calculate every outcome, and to protect their own interests. This stems from a deep-seated fear—the fear of suffering a loss or making a mistake. However, we must ask ourselves: what is a loss? If someone else gains an advantage at our expense, does it truly harm our spiritual progress? In truth, it does not.
Consider the vastness of our existence throughout our many lives. How many times have we taken advantage of others? How many times have we sought to avoid loss at the expense of another? When we encounter a situation in this life where we suffer a loss, it is simply an opportunity to settle a karmic debt. It is a moment of balance. Yet, people often cling to their pride, fearing that being taken advantage of is a sign of weakness or a lack of dignity.
The saying that to suffer a loss is actually to gain an advantage is a profound truth. Those who can accept this understand the great principles of the universe. Those who cannot often feel that such a path is undignified, believing that allowing others to treat them this way is a great misfortune. They do not realise that by clinging to their ego, they are the ones truly suffering the greatest loss of all.
The Greatness of the Straight Path
In this world, it is all too easy to encounter individuals who are driven by selfishness. They engage in self-serving actions and employ methods that only benefit their own narrow interests. Can such a path ever lead to the achievement of great things? It cannot. Those who are afraid of suffering a loss are incapable of undertaking tasks of great significance or building a grand vision for the benefit of all.
Look to the example of Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Namo Amituofo is here to save countless suffering beings. Has the Buddha ever feared suffering a loss? Has the Buddha ever calculated the cost of ? The Buddha’s only desire is that more and more suffering beings can enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the place where those who perform good deeds and those who are truly superior beings reside.
Becoming a Superior Being
I hope that the fourfold assembly of disciples can understand this deeply. To go straight ahead is a skill, and to not fear suffering a loss is a true capability. We must learn to cultivate these qualities in our daily practice:
Courage: The strength to move forward without hesitation or fear of personal loss.
Selflessness: The ability to put the needs of others before our own, mirroring the compassion of Namo Amituofo.
Diligence: The commitment to continue our practice, even when the path seems difficult or unrewarding to the ego.
Clarity: The wisdom to see that every interaction is an opportunity to settle and grow closer to our true nature.
Practitioner Su is one who embodies this spirit. The fourfold assembly should take this as a model for your own practice. By learning to go straight ahead and by letting go of the fear of suffering a loss, you too can become a superior being, destined to enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Let us walk this path together, with hearts open and spirits aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
