The Discipline of Deliverance: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

A Sanctuary for All Beings

Countless sentient beings arrive at this sacred Buddha-land, seeking refuge and salvation. They come from the six realms of existence and the four holy realms. They arrive from our own Saha world, from across the vast Milky Way, and from every corner of the universe—from above, below, and all directions in between. Many come from distant planets and from the hidden spaces that have been opened through the power of the Dharma. Some arrive with the singular intention to listen to the sutras and hear the profound Dharma. Others come seeking the grace of Chao Du, or to receive the pure energy that radiates from this temple. Regardless of their origin or their specific need, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre stands ready to fulfil their deepest wishes. This is the manifestation of the boundless compassion of Namo Amituofo.

The Order of Spiritual Deliverance

These sentient beings must learn to follow the rules of the temple. They rely on the guidance of the Dharma protectors to find their designated seats for listening to the sutras. During the Dharma assembly, they must also follow the prescribed directions. By moving in an orderly fashion, these spirits are able to receive the benefits of Chao Du. At this time, most beings are very cooperative. Even the demon crowds follow these instructions. They have come to realise that they have nowhere else to go; only this place can offer them true salvation. They understand this, and thus they come with sincere requests. Most arrive because they have experienced the depth of suffering, or because they recognise that this is a magnificent opportunity that is difficult to encounter in many lifetimes.

The Wisdom of Seeking Salvation

Therefore, all beings possess a form of spiritual awareness. In order to find a better destination and a better life, they are willing to change their ways. They come here specifically to seek Chao Du and to enter the Western Pure Land.

A Call to Fierce Diligence

I must ask the fourfold assembly: do you realise how fortunate you are to be born into such blessings? Do you truly appreciate the gift of this life? Your current level of diligent practice is not yet enough. You must strive for fierce diligence if you wish to keep pace with the footsteps of Practitioner Su as he works to save the world and deliver sentient beings. Remember, this practice is, first and foremost, a way to save yourself! Namo Amituofo.