Accumulating Merit and Virtue for the Path to Awakening

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

August 1, 2025.

For any practitioner on the path to Awakening, the accumulation of merit and virtue is not merely an optional addition to one's practice; it is the very foundation upon which all spiritual progress rests. Without this solid base, one's efforts remain fragile and easily disrupted by the storms of past karma.

The Foundation of Daily Practice

To accumulate merit and virtue, one must be diligent and consistent in their daily practice. This is the essential work of the practitioner, ensuring that the mind remains focused and the spirit stays aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Your daily lessons should include:

• Prostrations: Bowing to the Buddha to humble the ego and express deep reverence.
• Chanting Namo Amituofo: Reciting the sacred name to maintain a connection with the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
• Reciting the Sutras: Studying the teachings to deepen your understanding of the Dharma.

By engaging in these practices, you work to dissolve your spiritual obstacles and clear away the karma that has accumulated over countless lifetimes. When these obstacles are removed, your practice will no longer be hindered, and you will find that your aspirations for spiritual achievement are much easier to realise.

Transforming the Self

True progress requires more than just outward ritual; it demands a profound internal transformation. You must be diligent in changing your personality traits. If your nature is rigid, stubborn, or harsh, you must work to soften it, cultivating a gentle and compassionate heart. When you transform your personality, the beings you have harmed in the past—your karmic creditors—can perceive your sincerity. They see that you have truly changed, and because of this, they become willing to let go of their deep-seated resentment and hatred. This resolution of conflict is the key to dissolving your karma and advancing your practice.

The Selfless Vow of Compassion

If you wish to succeed in your practice, you must accumulate merit and virtue until your own store of merit is full. If your merit is insufficient, or if your practice lacks the necessary strength, your karmic creditors will not be willing to resolve the conflict with you. Consequently, the karma will remain, and your vow to achieve liberation will be difficult to fulfil. However, if your compassion is directed entirely toward saving beings, helping them leave suffering behind and find rebirth in the Western Pure Land, then your practice becomes selfless. This is the true meaning of merit. When you possess this selfless merit, it becomes the resource you use to save beings, providing them with the precious opportunity to be rescued.

The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

If one who seeks to save beings lacks sufficient merit, they will find themselves powerless to help those they wish to rescue. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia—a place where Namo Amituofo is residing here—we are blessed to be in a place where Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju and Practitioner Su are working tirelessly for the benefit of all beings. The merit and virtue of Namo Amituofo are immeasurable and boundless. Furthermore, the merit Practitioner Su gains through the Chao Du of spirits and demon crowds is beyond calculation.

When we work to resolve the conflicts of those who come to the Centre, if the karmic creditors themselves lack sufficient merit, they are supported by the immense power of Namo Amituofo and the merit of Practitioner Su. This serves as a powerful backing, allowing us to successfully invite spirits, perform the necessary Chao Du, and achieve the profound effects of Body-Mind-Spirit spiritual healing. Therefore, the accumulation of merit and virtue is an essential resource for every practitioner—it is the only way to save both oneself and all suffering beings.

Namo Amituofo