The Courage to Charge Forward

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony and the Noon Offering held on October 23, 2021, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided essential guidance on the spirit of our practice. As recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, these teachings remind us of the dedication required to walk the path of the Buddha.

The Spirit of Perseverance

To engage in true practice, one must possess a long-term heart and unwavering perseverance. The journey is not always smooth; you will inevitably encounter bottlenecks that test your resolve. When these moments arise, you must not retreat. Instead, you must find the inner strength to break through these obstacles and charge forward with renewed vigour.

The Peril of Self-Centredness

However, the nature of your drive is of critical importance. If your motivation is rooted in self-interest, it stems from a negative and impure heart. The actions that arise from such a state are inherently negative. No matter how much force or intensity you apply to your efforts, this kind of charging forward will only lead to harm—both to yourself and to others. It may even cause you to stray onto deviant paths or fall into the influence of the Demon Realm. When the heart is clouded by ego, even the most energetic efforts become counterproductive.

The Strength of Selfless Compassion

Conversely, if your motivation is entirely selfless and dedicated to the welfare of all beings, the outcome is transformed. When you charge forward for the sake of others, you are no longer relying solely on your own limited strength. You will easily receive the support and assistance of the power of Goodness. This divine support helps you break through the most difficult bottlenecks, allowing you to advance even further along the path of awakening.

The Ultimate Goal of Saving Beings

The power to charge forward is most potent when it arises purely from the compassionate desire to save beings and help them leave suffering behind. This is the manifestation of a positive heart, which naturally produces positive actions. By walking firmly, steadily, and with integrity every single day, you will be able to exert a profound influence at critical moments or during the peak of your practice. This steady accumulation of merit and wisdom accelerates your progress, ultimately allowing you to fulfil the noble goal of saving the world and guiding all beings to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo.