Awaken to the Truth: A Call to Vigilance

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on August 13, 2022.

The Perilous Path of the World

Walking through this world, one often finds the road filled with hidden dangers and treacherous turns. However, when you turn your heart toward spiritual practice, these dangerous paths begin to level out. If you wish to become an awakened being and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you must remain constantly vigilant. You must strive to remove the impurities and turbidity that cloud your original nature. Do not allow yourself to be stained by the world again; instead, keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and advance step by step toward your goal.

The Power of Constant Mindfulness

You must hold the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo in your heart 24/7. Never let this practice slip from your mind; it is a treasure you must hold onto tightly. When your practice of chanting the Buddha-name reaches a state of true maturity, you will achieve a state of deep peace and wisdom. By focusing your entire heart on holding the name, you will naturally enter the state of samadhi.

The Danger of Ego and Habits

You must be willing to change your personality and your ingrained habits. Even the slightest manifestation of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness can create significant obstacles. These small traits act as hooks that pull you back into the cycle of reincarnated existence, allowing your past karma to manifest in the present. If you do not work to eliminate these negative tendencies, the negative karma you have created will remain unpurified. Consider the reality of your situation:

• Your karmic creditors are always present, waiting for the right moment to seek revenge for past harms.
• If you cling to your old personality, you provide the perfect conditions for your karma to manifest as suffering.
• This suffering often takes the form of aging, sickness, and death, or the sudden flare-up of old, unresolved illnesses.

Even if you consider yourself a practitioner, if you do not change, you will still be subject to the cycle of aging, sickness, and death. At the moment of your passing, these karmic creditors may create obstacles that prevent your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, causing you to fall back into the six realms of existence.

The Path to Liberation

You must be alert and awaken to the truth. You must quickly change your personality and habits to avoid unnecessary suffering. If you truly desire to make progress in your practice, you must be willing to change, even when it feels difficult. To thoroughly change your ways and put in the work is the essence of diligent practice and the key to achieving a breakthrough. Only by doing this can you hope to escape the cycle of reincarnated existence and successfully chant your way into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.