Buddhist education, often referred to simply as the Buddha's teachings, is fundamentally different from the education we receive in the worldly realm. While worldly education focuses on the acquisition of knowledge for survival and social function, Buddhist education is the study of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. It is a profound exploration of the true nature of reality.
In terms of space, this education encompasses the entire universe, teaching us the true nature of all phenomena. In terms of time, it spans the past, the present, and the future. Yet, in the ultimate sense, there is no past, present, or future; these are merely conceptual divisions. In the eyes of the awakened, all time is fused into one eternal moment. Because the depth, breadth, and length of this wisdom are truly infinite, the scope of Buddhist education far exceeds anything that worldly knowledge can offer.
The Three Stages of a Practitioner's Life
For any practitioner walking the path of the Buddha, life can be understood through three distinct and vital stages. These stages represent the journey from confusion to clarity and, ultimately, to liberation:
The First Stage: . This is the process of realising one's true nature. It is the completion of what we call True Cultivation, where one learns to use the false to cultivate the true.
The Second Stage: Saving Beings. This is the concrete manifestation of the Buddha-heart, the Buddha-vow, and the Buddha-actions. It is the commitment to help others leave suffering behind and find happiness.
The Third Stage: Returning to the . This is the final homecoming, where the spirit returns to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, transcending the cycle of rebirth.
Buddhist education plays a critical role throughout these three stages. One could say that it is precisely by relying on these teachings that a practitioner is able to successfully navigate and complete this journey.
The Depth of Your Practice
The extent of your spiritual achievement is directly proportional to how deeply you receive and internalise these teachings. The higher your level of receptivity, and the broader and deeper your understanding, the more profound your meditative concentration will become, and the greater your achievements will be. This success is not merely for your own benefit; it is a gift that extends to all beings.
When we speak of benefit, we distinguish between two paths:
Self-Benefit: This is the path of the practitioners of the , who seek personal liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Self-Benefit and Benefit for Others: This is the path of the , where the practitioner works to liberate themselves while simultaneously helping all other beings.
For those who have reached the level where the distinction between self and other has dissolved—where all are seen as one—they have entered the One Vehicle. These are the practitioners who have realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood. Once one has attained this state of Awakening, the worldly and the transcendental become clear at a glance. One becomes, in a sense, all-knowing and all-capable.
Choosing the Right Path
Whether one follows the One Vehicle, the Great Vehicle, or the Small Vehicle, all are part of the Buddha's teachings. The differences lie in the state of the heart and the nature of one's actions, which in turn determine the level of spiritual achievement. Because these processes must be completed within the span of a single human life, the education one encounters after birth is of paramount importance.
We must ask ourselves: are we receiving a Buddhist education that leads to Awakening and Buddhahood, or are we being conditioned by worldly education that leads only to the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death, and the six realms of rebirth? Every single minute and second after we are born is precious. We must be mindful of the direction in which we are channelling our diligent practice. Are we moving toward the light of Awakening, or are we drifting further into the darkness of samsara?
A Call to the Students of Hsiang Kuang
If you are a parent, what kind of education will you choose for your children? What kind of environment will you provide for their growth? If you are an adult who has already been stained by the and of this world, you are now fortunate enough to have returned to the Buddha's path. If you truly wish to attain liberation and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must be even more fiercely diligent.
Every moment is a challenge to yourself: are you moving toward the inevitable decay of aging and death, or are you advancing toward the liberation of the spirit? It is a great blessing to encounter those who have realised their true nature, and an even greater blessing to receive teachings directly from the Buddha. This affinity is what allows you to break free from the cycle of rebirth.
Students of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are now in the presence of those who have realised their true nature and those who have attained Buddhahood. You must cherish this opportunity deeply. Do not let a single moment pass in vain. Seize every opportunity to practise, for every moment is a chance to realise your true nature, attain Buddhahood, and act for the sake of saving all suffering beings.
