The Path of Advancement and Retreat

The Thrice Yearning Ceremony is a profound opportunity for us to connect with the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. During the first session of this ceremony, held on 16 April 2021, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered vital guidance on the nature of our spiritual journey and the importance of maintaining our momentum.

The Unceasing Current of the Seeker’s Heart

Learning is like rowing a boat against the current; if you do not advance, you will inevitably retreat. The path of learning is never easy. If you are cautious and tireless in your efforts, you will make progress. However, if you become lazy or complacent, you will slide backward. One must be extremely careful and vigilant regarding this. This is the fundamental understanding that every seeker of the truth must possess. Whether you are studying the Buddha's teachings or engaging in your daily practice, the principle remains the same. There is no such thing as gaining something for nothing in this world.

The Cleansing Waters of Awakening

Advancement can be found in the small insights you gain each day. Awakening is like pure, clear water; it washes away the dust and grime that have accumulated on our hearts over countless lifetimes. Consider the nature of this process:

• If you have a small insight, you wash away a small layer of dust.If you have a great awakening, you wash away a vast expanse of dust.

Even if your insights are small, if you accumulate them day by day, they will eventually coalesce into a great awakening. If you do not let these small moments of clarity cease, the day of your great awakening will surely arrive.

The Pillars of Steadfast Progress

What does it mean to truly advance? We must understand that progress is multifaceted:

• Awakening is advancement.Cultivating right faith and right understanding in Buddhist education is advancement.Performing every task in your daily life with sincerity and diligence is advancement.

Advancement is the fundamental duty of every practitioner. When you advance, you will naturally gain insights. When your wisdom is opened, you will see your true nature. This is the function of advancement and the precious value of the insights you gain.

Returning to the Original Face

Seeing your true nature is a matter that concerns your own heart. It is the original face that every one of us possesses. You must engage in real, authentic practice. When your practice advances, you are truly a disciple of the Buddha. May we all cherish this opportunity to advance, to purify our minds, and to walk the path toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss with unwavering resolve.

Namo Amituofo