The Purpose of This Moment

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Haize.

On the seventeenth of July, 2022, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings regarding the significance of our current time.

The Infinite Value of the Present

You may ask, what is the purpose of this moment? I tell you, this moment has immense and profound use. This moment is not merely a fleeting point in time; it is composed of countless 'nows' that flow like a river. Every single minute and every passing second must be utilised with wisdom and intention. If you do not cherish the present, when will you ever find the time to truly cultivate your spirit?

This is the perfect time for diligent practice. Consider the small, yet powerful actions you can take right now:

• Prostrating to the Buddha to humble your ego.
• Chanting the name of Namo Amituofo to align your heart with the Buddha.
• Listening to the teachings to clarify your understanding of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
• Serving the community to cultivate compassion and selflessness.

Any of these actions is far superior to letting your precious time slip away through aimlessness, drowsiness, or the agitation of a wandering mind.

The Tragedy of Lost Time

What is the true cost of wasting this moment? Consider the countless beings who, at this very instant, are reaching the end of their lives and falling back into the cycle of being reincarnated, having missed the opportunity for rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. They are lost in the darkness of ignorance, unaware of the light that awaits them.

How many beings are born into this world only to be swept away by the relentless tide of Aging, sickness, and death? They spend their entire lives caught in the busy, exhausting pursuit of karmic debts, only to find themselves trapped in the cycle of being reincarnated once more. They live and die without ever knowing that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss exists as a sanctuary for their weary souls.

Seizing the Opportunity at Hsiang Kuang

Therefore, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you must grasp every second of the present. Whether you are here to seek the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, to study the Buddha's words, to understand the Pure Land path, or to engage in the vital work of healing and spiritual deliverance, you must remain focused.

Engage in the work of inviting spirits to resolve the conflict and perform Chao Du to help them leave suffering behind. Practise with diligence, and then practise even more. This is the true purpose of this moment, and this is what you are called to do. By dedicating yourself to this path, you ensure that your time is not spent in vain, but is instead invested in the ultimate goal of Awakening and Buddhahood. Namo Amituofo.