The Ping-Pong Ball Life: A Lesson on Autonomy

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

During the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on the first of March, 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered a profound teaching on the nature of our existence, comparing the unenlightened life to that of a ping-pong ball.

The Fragile Dance of the Ping-Pong Ball

Consider the ping-pong ball. It is round, smooth, and incredibly light, making it prone to movement at the slightest touch. When it is struck, it begins to bounce incessantly, darting up and down or back and forth. It continues this frantic motion until it eventually loses its momentum, at which point it settles into a state of stillness, remaining motionless where it lies. However, if it is touched once more, the cycle of movement begins again. It is only when the ball remains untouched that it can truly rest in a state of quietude.

Caught in the Grip of External Forces

When two players engage in a match, the ball is caught in a constant, rhythmic dance. It is forced to move according to the will of those holding the paddles. The ball has no agency of its own; it is entirely reactive. Consider how the players dictate its fate:

• If the player strikes to the left, the ball must travel to the left.If the player strikes to the right, the ball must travel to the right.If the player demands that the ball bounce vertically, it has no choice but to obey.

In this scenario, the ball’s movement, its stillness, and its direction are all determined by external influences. It is under the complete control of the players, lacking any capacity for self-determination.

The Sorrow of a Life Without Autonomy

This is the reality of the ping-pong ball life. How can one hope to escape the sorrow of being trapped in the cycle of rebirth, constantly manipulated by the forces of karma? In truth, many people live their entire lives in this state of being controlled. They drift from one lifetime to the next, tossed about by circumstances, until the moment of death arrives. When they are reborn, they find themselves once again in a world where they cannot govern their own destiny.

Awakening to the Path of Liberation

One only has the opportunity to awaken when they engage in diligent practice and realise their true nature. This is the turning point. Only then does one have the chance to stop being a passive object at the mercy of external forces. By cultivating the path, you can finally break free from the following constraints:

• The influence of the external environment, which constantly pulls at your senses.The weight of past karma, which dictates your current circumstances.The control of the unseen players, who manipulate your thoughts and actions.

When you are no longer a ping-pong ball, you have the opportunity to transcend the cycle of rebirth. You can then live a life of true autonomy, finding the cool, refreshing clarity of a liberated spirit. You will be able to walk the path toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss with a heart that is finally at peace. Namo Amituofo.