The Content of Life: A Teaching from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

These teachings were recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on the thirty-first of December, 2021.

The Duality of Our Existence

When we speak of life, we must understand it in two distinct ways: the life of the physical body and the life of the spirit. The life of the physical body, whether it manifests in the human realm or the animal realm, is inherently finite. Within the human world, regardless of one's gender, age, or social standing, and regardless of the country or location in which one resides, we are all subject to the same progression. We grow, we live according to the demands and rhythms of our environment, and we inevitably pass through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

No matter where or when we find ourselves, we are all controlled by the forces of karma and the cycle of rebirth. It is only through dedicated practice that one can break free from this cycle and transcend the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

The Eternal Nature of the Spirit

In contrast, the life of the spirit is unborn and undying. Even as we reincarnate through the six realms of existence and find ourselves transformed into different forms, the fundamental spirit remains unchanged. Every experience, every action, and every thought we have ever had is recorded within the consciousness of our spirit. These records are never erased. They remain with us, carrying the weight of our past into our future.

To truly transform this, one must engage in diligent practice. We must utilise correct and unpolluted methods to purify our spirit. This is the foundation of the Pure Land path, which includes:

• Prostrations:
• The act of bowing to the Buddha to humble the ego and show reverence.Chanting Namo Amituofo:
• The practice of reciting the Buddha's name to align our heart with His infinite compassion.Reciting the Sutras: The study of the sacred texts to gain wisdom and clarity.

These are the essential daily lessons that allow us to purify our spirit and clear away the dust of past lives.

Maintaining Clarity in the Present

It is vital that you do not allow yourself to be pulled back into the past. While you must face the situations that manifest in your present life, you must learn to do so without becoming entangled in them. Maintaining the clarity and purity of your spirit is a matter of the utmost importance. When you practise, you must put in the work from the heart. Facing your karmic creditors with sincerity, diligently dissolving your spiritual obstacles, repenting for past wrongs, resolving the conflict, inviting spirits, and performing Chao Du are all essential methods of purification.

Becoming the Master of Your Life

Once you have achieved a level of purification, you must use your attainment in practice and your capabilities to save the world and help all beings. These processes—the purification of the self and the salvation of others—are what truly constitute the content of your life. I hope that every student of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre understands that they are the master of their own life's content. The story you write, and the legacy you leave behind, is entirely in your own hands and rests upon the sincerity of your heart.

Namo Amituofo, your Teacher, and Practitioner Su are all here to assist you. You must seize this opportunity! If you can achieve the state of an awakened being within this very body, then rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is possible in this lifetime. Do not let this precious chance slip away.

Namo Amituofo