Seize the Present Moment

The Fragility of Life

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

Buddhist practitioners, you must always remember that impermanence exists within a single breath. In one breath, life arises and you exist. In the next, that breath vanishes, life ceases, and everything turns to nothingness. At that moment, the world and all its attachments no longer belong to you.

This single breath is the pivot point of your cycle of rebirth. It is the boundary between existence and non-existence, between life and death, and between having a physical form and being formless. This breath cannot be purchased with all the wealth in the world. It is the divide between your past lives, your present existence, and the life that is yet to come.

The Power of the Name

Only by seizing the present moment—while this breath still remains—can you truly accomplish something of lasting value. And what is the most valuable thing you can do? It is to chant the name of Namo Amituofo, one sound after another. Whether this single utterance is sincere and earnest is the critical factor that determines your future.

It decides whether you will enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to become a being of the Western Land, or whether you will fall back into the cycle of rebirth. The present moment is the difference between Awakening and being lost in confusion. Therefore, please cherish every single moment.

The Performance of Life

The human body is priceless, but when the breath stops, every moment of this life also ceases. When that breath is gone, all the worldly glory, fame, status, wealth, and academic achievements—or conversely, all the poverty, suffering, sorrow, and tragic emotions—will follow your karma and fade away. You have lived through a lifetime, much like performing in a play.

You do not know where the next act will be performed, but the way you performed in this life and the state of your heart will determine your destination. Once the curtain falls and you bow to leave the stage, you will either enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss or continue to wander through the six realms of rebirth.

Continuous Practice

Therefore, I urge you to seize every present moment. Chant the six-character name of Namo Amituofo continuously, without interruption. Let it be so in the past, in the present, and in the future—continuous chanting without interruption.

Namo Amituofo