The Bright Lamp of Spiritual Guidance

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

During the noon offering of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on the second of March, 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings.

Choosing Your Path in the Vast Sea of Humanity

In the vast sea of humanity, where are you heading? Many continue to walk the old, worn-out paths of the past. They remain trapped within the six realms of existence, drifting endlessly according to the pull of their own karma. They sink deeper into the cycle of rebirth, with no foreseeable end to their suffering. However, there is another way. You may choose to walk the great path that leads to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, a realm of light where there is no sorrow. The life you choose depends entirely on your current Dharma affinity and the timing of your spiritual awakening.

The Beacon in the Darkness

When you are fortunate enough to encounter Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends in this world, you have found the Bright Lamp within the vast sea of humanity. These enlightened beings come to perform the noble work of saving the world and rescuing suffering beings. When you see this light, you must follow it and seek it out. For those whose spiritual foundations are now fully matured, this encounter is the key to receiving salvation. The Pure Land path is the supreme Dharma, the ultimate method for attaining Buddhahood. The goal of your practice is to realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood.

Returning to Your True Self

Why do Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and true spiritual friends manifest in this world? They appear primarily to respond to the needs of the beings of that time, fulfilling their requests and inspiring their hearts to yearn for the truth. In reality, all things manifest from within your own true self and your inherent Buddha-nature. Every single being possesses this same Buddha-nature. Therefore, the appearance of the Bright Lamp is meant to lead you out of the vast sea of humanity. It is a call to return to your true self, to find your way home, and to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, which is the place of ultimate liberation.

A Legacy of Compassion

Once you have found your way back to your true self, you in turn become a Bright Lamp for other beings. If you can save one being, then save one. If you can save two, then save two. When these beings are saved and realise their true nature, they too will become Bright Lamps for others. In this way, the light is passed down from generation to generation. Whether in this life or in lives to come, this ensures that the Buddha’s teachings are passed on forever. This work benefits the six realms of existence, the human world, the entire Dharma realm of emptiness, the three-thousand great thousand worlds, and even reaches into the boundless reaches of space.

Namo Amituofo