Seize Every Day: Teachings on the Preciousness of Life

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.

October 7, 2023

The Breath of Life and the Gift of Sustenance

Those who have stood at the threshold of life and death understand the profound significance of every breath. They know that the simple act of breathing is a gift, not a guarantee. Similarly, those who have endured true hardship—who have had to labour for every cent and sacrifice much just to survive—understand the value of a single meal. When one has known hunger, the ability to eat until one is full is a blessing that should be met with the most sincere gratitude from the heart.

The Heavy Toll of Wasted Time

Often, it is only when we reach old age or fall into illness that we realise how poorly we have treated ourselves. We look back and see that we spent our most precious, vibrant years of youth chasing the satisfaction of endless desires. We pursued fame, wealth, and pleasure without pause, creating constant ripples of agitation in our minds. This relentless pursuit attracted heavy karma, karmic creditors, and attached spirits that now reside within our bodies. As these negative influences accumulate, they manifest as the physical decline and diseases we suffer in our later years. At that point, no matter how much money or energy we spend, we cannot buy back the simplicity, health, and vitality we have lost.

The Unseen Chains of Karma

When we observe the myriad states of beings who have lost control over their own lives, or when we witness the cycle of rebirth and the suffering within the hells, we begin to understand the terrifying reality of the laws of karma and cause and effect. We see that planting negative causes inevitably leads to evil consequences and the agony of the hells. It is only then that we realise how incredibly rare and precious it is to be born as a human, to encounter the Buddha’s teachings, to find the Pure Land path, and to be able to follow the Buddha in our practice. Because of this, we must be extremely cautious in how we spend every moment. We must not plant negative causes that lead to suffering, for the resulting pain is truly unbearable.

A Sacred Opportunity at Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary

At Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary, you must seize every minute, every second, and every day for your practice. Do not let yourself fall back into the cycle of rebirth. Whether you are engaged in the following activities, know that they are all opportunities for purification, the cultivation of blessings and wisdom, and the accumulation of merit:

• Listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma to clarify your understanding.
• Serving the community with a selfless heart.
• Performing your duties at the centre with diligence.

These moments are also precious opportunities to converse with the Buddha, to open up space, to reach awakening, and to rediscover your true self.

The Ultimate Path to Liberation

You must be diligent in your practice. To chant Namo Amituofo, to know the time of your departure in advance, and to be able to freely travel to and from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss—this is the ultimate way to leave suffering behind and find happiness. Only by achieving this can you truly save yourself and, in turn, save all beings, guiding them back to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo