Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
December 7, 2024, First Session
Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju’s teachings:
The Rare Opportunity for Swift Progress
My dear children, do you truly realise how magnificent and rare the environment you are currently in is? Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and I have been continuously reminding you of this, yet I must ask: have you become so accustomed to this blessing that you have begun to overlook its vital importance?
Practising here allows you to achieve results with half the effort. You invest a portion of your heart and energy, and you receive a double measure of progress in return. For a dedicated practitioner, this is akin to finding the treasure you have been searching for across lifetimes without having to exhaust yourself in the process. It is a rare gift indeed.
Many practitioners elsewhere find that their efforts yield the opposite result—they spend double or even triple the energy and physical strength, yet they only achieve mediocre progress. When you look at this contrast, you should understand just how fortunate you are to be here.
Turning Challenges into Stepping Stones
Even though the demon crowds are frequently attacking the fourfold assembly of disciples, have you considered that if you have the opportunity to break through these attacks, your practice will grow exponentially? You should actually be grateful to these challenges, for they test your resolve and force you to deepen your commitment. However, you must still exert great effort to achieve this breakthrough.
Many of you feel trapped here. When I speak of being trapped, I am referring to the states of and the difficulties you face when entering space—these are situations that still require a breakthrough. My children, these conditions are worthy of your utmost focus and energy. You must face them with courage and work to improve. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, and it is the perfect time for the fourfold assembly to move towards . Those who can change their personality traits and face these obstacles head-on will make great strides. Conversely, if you cannot face these difficulties, you are merely exhausting your own spirit and physical strength. You are essentially pulling against yourself, causing your practice to stagnate or even regress.
The Only Path to Breakthrough
You are all intelligent individuals, but you must also cultivate Wisdom to know how to face the attacks of the demon crowds. There is only one path to success: Buddha's . At this moment, the Namo Amituofo before you is the Universal Buddha. Beyond possessing immeasurable Wisdom, virtues, and auspicious characteristics, the Buddha also holds boundless merit, majestic power, courage, and fearlessness, all of which are ready to be bestowed upon you.
However, this requires you to have faith in the Buddha, to generate , and to chant Buddha's name with a sincere and earnest heart. You must chant each and every "Namo Amituofo" with focus, ensuring that your thoughts are continuous and uninterrupted. This is how you break through the obstacles created by your and the demon crowds. As long as your heart is in sync with the Buddha's heart, and you make the vow to save yourself and all beings, it will be just as it is in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Whatever you need, the Buddha has, and He can provide it to you.
Crisis as a Catalyst for Transformation
If you can enter the Western Land, everything the Buddha possesses becomes available to you. You must believe this with all your heart. More importantly, you must put this belief into action. By doing so, you will surely receive the Buddha's blessings, make progress in your practice, and overcome states of drowsiness or confusion. You can become like Practitioner Su, possessing the energy, spirit, and physical strength to navigate every day, every hour, and every second with clarity.
This is because you are in a Buddha-land, where the Buddha-light shines upon you constantly. This light is filled with the energy that the Buddha wishes to bestow upon you. Do not let the attacks or spiritual attachments of the demon crowds defeat you. Do not fall into despair, and never lose faith in yourself or in the Buddha. The demon crowds may attach themselves to you or to others, using words or expressions to strike at your confidence during your interactions. However, if you do not forget to chant the Buddha's name, if you can transform your thoughts, face the situation, and keep your focus, you will pass this test. Your practice will then make a significant leap forward.
A crisis is also a turning point. It all depends on whether you can grasp this moment. This is the perfect time to transform . Lift your spirits, never forget to chant and perform prostrations, and practise with diligence. The Buddha's blessings will surely be present within your efforts. Remember my words, and you will certainly reap the rewards. Namo Amituofo.
