In the Blink of an Eye

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

25 December 2022

The Fleeting Nature of Human Life

Consider how quickly life unfolds. One moment, you are merely a child, innocent and full of potential. Yet, in the blink of an eye, you stand tall as a capable young adult. As you navigate this stage of life, you must ask yourself: are you still walking the path of being reincarnated, or have you found the way to liberation? For those who have endured the long, painful trials of old age and sickness, the transition is even more profound. In the blink of an eye, they are no longer in this human world. Where does their spirit go? This is a question that every one of us must contemplate with the utmost seriousness.

The Responsibility of the Dharma

Consider the novice who has just entered the Buddha’s gate. In the blink of an eye, they have matured into a Bhikshu. The question remains: can they truly realise their true self and become a pillar of the Buddha’s teachings? Can they shoulder the heavy responsibility of transmitting the Dharma to future generations? This is not merely a change in status, but a test of one's commitment to the path of awakening.

The Endless Cycle of Suffering

Look out at the earth, where cattle, sheep, and horses bow their heads to graze. In the blink of an eye, they are still grazing, yet their spirits have already been reincarnated through countless lifetimes, trapped in the bodies of beasts. These spirits have been reborn as cattle, sheep, and horses time and time again. When will they finally be able to leave the animal realm behind? This same tragic cycle applies to all earthly creatures, from the smallest insects to the largest beings that fly or crawl. They are all caught in the relentless turning of the wheel.

The Precious Opportunity at Hsiang Kuang

In the blink of an eye, the dimensions of time and space shift. Many spirits who have been reincarnated through the cycle of rebirth for countless aeons have now finally obtained a human body. You are here, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, a sacred sanctuary for practice. Are you truly willing to settle your heart upon the Buddha’s path? You must learn to distinguish clearly between the illusory and the real. You must be fiercely diligent in your practice, seeking to rediscover your true self as soon as possible. Only then will you see your true self. Will you join the ranks of those who, alongside Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, have vowed to save the world and guide all beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?

Namo Amituofo