The River Flows East: Teachings on Cherishing the Present

The Relentless Flow of Time

The river flows east, never to return. This is a profound metaphor for the nature of time itself, which moves relentlessly forward and waits for no one. Everything in this world—every person we meet, every event we experience—is subject to this same inexorable law. Once a moment has passed, it is gone forever, never to be reclaimed. A truly wise person understands that the only thing one can truly grasp is the present moment. Even as we speak or write these words, the river of time continues its journey, flowing onward and never looking back.

Reflect deeply upon your own life. How many moments have already slipped through your fingers? How many have been squandered on trivialities or distractions? And, more importantly, how many precious moments do you have left? The passage of time is swift, and it is easy to lose track of the life we are living. To the fourfold assembly, I urge you to awaken your true awareness. You must view this matter with the utmost seriousness and clarity.

The Urgency of Transformation

As the days pass one by one, if you have not yet transformed your karma, the inevitable realities of life will soon manifest. The aging of the body, the onset of illness, and the various sufferings of existence will follow in due course. When that time comes, your situation will be far more difficult than it is today. Therefore, regardless of how you have practised in the past, know that every single moment is a fresh beginning. You must strive to live in a way that leaves your heart without regrets, ensuring that your actions align with the truth.

The Constant Companion of the Buddha-Name

The river of time flows without pause, but you have the power to navigate it with purpose. Do not forget to fill every moment with the chanting of Namo Amituofo. Let the holy name accompany you through every breath, and allow the Buddha’s blessings to permeate your life. By keeping the Buddha-name at the forefront of your mind, you transform the mundane flow of time into a path of spiritual progress.

A Rare Opportunity at Hsiang Kuang

At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre—the place where Namo Amituofo truly abides—the conditions for practice are exceptionally magnificent. This is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in millions of years. This is the very moment you have been waiting for. Do not let it pass by lightly; be diligent in your chanting of Namo Amituofo. Your time in this physical body is limited. Within these finite days, the most important task is to use this temporary body to find the eternal truth. Here at Hsiang Kuang, the Buddha’s blessings are bestowed upon all. Whether you can successfully rediscover your true self depends entirely on your own individual efforts. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe