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How to Live: The Teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianj

The Priority of Living

During the and the Noon Offering, we are reminded that the quality of our existence far outweighs the duration of our lives. How we live is a question that demands our deepest reflection. Many people measure the success of a life by its length, yet from the perspective of the , the true measure is found in the depth of our and the clarity of our purpose.

In this world, we often exhaust ourselves in pursuit of things that are ultimately transient. We chase after wealth, fame, and material possessions, yet we must realise that none of these can be taken with us when our time comes. Therefore, the path of wisdom is to see through and let go of these attachments. We should practise generosity, releasing our grip on the material world to make space for the cultivation of our spirit.

The Path of True Cultivation

Our physical body is also temporary. It is a vessel that will eventually fade, yet it serves a vital purpose while we are here. We must engage in True Cultivation, using this false, impermanent body to seek and rediscover our true self. By treating as a tool for spiritual growth rather than an object of indulgence, we begin the journey of returning to our original nature.

While worldly goods cannot be carried into the next life, the merit and we accumulate through our actions are the only true currency of the spirit. We must be active and persistent in our practice, performing good deeds and spiritual work without hesitation or delay. Our spiritual life is eternal, and it is our duty to elevate it while we still have the opportunity.

The Purpose of a Long Life

Many people believe that a long life is a blessing, a time to enjoy peace and comfort. However, a long life is truly meaningful only when it serves a higher goal. As we witness the changing tides of the human world, we see that both fortune and misfortune are merely illusory experiences that pass like clouds. If our practice is focused on becoming an awakened being, achieving rebirth in the , and working to save all beings, then every extra day we live gains profound significance:

To manifest the life of one who chants Buddha's name, living entirely within the world of the Buddha.
To follow the teachings, engaging in prostrations, purification, and the study of the Dharma.
To shed the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, acting with selfless to save others.
To seek the true self not just for personal liberation, but to guide others toward the same path.
To live for the benefit of others rather than for self-interest.
To ensure that we leave suffering behind and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land, rather than falling back into the six realms of rebirth.
To act as a vessel for the transmission of the Pure Land teachings, ensuring that the path remains clear for those who follow.

The Choice of Our Final Departure

Ultimately, how we live determines how we depart. We are either demonstrating the power of the Dharma by knowing the time of our passing and departing with , or we are showing the world the tragedy of being trapped in the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death. If we cannot master our own minds, we risk becoming a warning to others, a reminder of why we must not follow the path of confusion.

The choice of which path to take lies entirely within our own hearts and actions. To live with compassion, to expand our mind-capacity, to practise inclusivity, and to remain awakened is to live with true freedom. When we can be the masters of our own spirits while walking in this world, we have truly learned how to live.