Recorded and transcribed by the disciple of , Venerable HaiZe, on the fourteenth of October, 2023.
Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers these profound teachings on the nature of our world and the vastness of the Realm.
The Tapestry of Our World
What does it mean to look within and beyond a thousand miles? If we observe our own Earth, we see a world of immense complexity. It is a realm defined by the vastness of our oceans and the expanse of the sky; the majesty of high mountains and the depth of hidden valleys; the contrast between arid, waterless lands and regions plagued by devastating floods; the bustling activity of crowded cities and the quiet, serene corners of the countryside; the rhythmic cycle of day and night, the sun and the moon; and the changing seasons, from the biting cold of winter to the intense heat of summer.
Regardless of the location, the climate, or the celestial conditions, countless living beings reside within this world. We are all part of this grand, interconnected tapestry of life.
The Weight of and the Cycle of Rebirth
Within this world, we find beings caught in the six realms of rebirth. Whether they are spiritual beings or those living in the human world, every single one of them possesses the inherent Buddha-nature. Yet, because of the differences in our mental states and our actions, we form the various appearances of the six realms of rebirth.
How we think and how we act determines the path we walk. When our minds are clouded by confusion, we drift through the cycle of rebirth, experiencing the suffering that comes from our own past deeds. It is our mental notes and our intentions that shape the reality we inhabit.
The Infinite Dharma Realm
What lies beyond a thousand miles? When we look toward the Dharma Realm, the vast void of space, and the countless worlds within the Milky Way, we encounter a different reality. These are largely worlds of spirit. Different ecological environments give rise to different forms of life, yet all these beings share the same fundamental Buddha-nature.
Just as on Earth, these beings are shaped by their own mental states and actions. These differences in intention and conduct form the myriad appearances of the Dharma Realm. The universe is far more expansive and populated than our physical eyes can perceive, yet the underlying truth remains the same for all.
A Sanctuary of Light
Whether we speak of the beings on Earth, in the Dharma Realm, in the void of space, or across the Milky Way, it is truly rare and difficult to enter the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. This is because Namo Amituofo is residing here. Namo Amituofo and the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss represent the destination that infinite suffering beings across the Ten Directions of the Dharma Realm long to reach.
The Gateway to Ultimate Liberation
Therefore, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre serves as a sacred ground on Earth where Namo Amituofo leads beings from our world, the Ten Directions, the void, and the Milky Way into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is truly a holy site for rebirth in the Western Pure Land, a place that is difficult to encounter even in a hundred million kalpas.
Spirits from the spiritual realms come here with , seeking and fulfilling their wish to be reborn in the West. For those of us in the human world, it is a precious land where we can seek the Dharma, see our true nature and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Let us cherish this opportunity and walk the path of together.
