Cutting Off

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

11 July 2026

Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

The character 'cut off' represents a matter being divided into two parts, or one's interaction with others being divided into two parts or two sides.

To cut off is to be so in the heart, and likewise in one's actions,

indicating that this matter will no longer continue, and this emotion will no longer have any connection,

this is the state of cutting off.

Cut off emotion and desire, cut off greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt, cut off wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep, cut off verbal disputes,

cut off the rights and wrongs between people, and so on.

One should understand that everything in the world exists within the Dharma of Causal Conditions of arising and ceasing; it is the meaning of illusory arising and ceasing,

To grasp or cling to any being, any object, or any matter within it is suffering.

Those who truly desire to achieve success in their practice should know that the heart is empty of all things, bright and clear.

Those who can attain this state will have a heart that is not tainted by any emotion, any person, or any matter,

and will no longer touch upon the past, including thoughts and thinking.

Cutting off is boldness, it is determination, it is the firm practice of focusing one's heart on the Way and seeking the Dharma,

and it is also a necessary process for success in practice.

The six realms of rebirth do not cease because there are people, matters, objects, and processes in the heart,

which means these existences have not been cut off.

One must summon the determination to cut off and let go, move forward courageously, and chant one Buddha's name to the end.

Only when both heart and action are cut off can one obtain real results.

If one cuts off in the heart but not in action, unless one is an awakened being whose heart is not shaken by any external environment,

only then can this be so.

For those who are not yet awakened beings, the heart follows and moves with external environments,

if the heart is cut off but the action is not, and if this action is led and moved by external environments,

then the effect of 'cutting off' is weakened.

Manjushri Bodhisattva’s sword of Wisdom cuts off all roots of emotion and afflictions,

one must cut off; only by cutting off can one attain; this is the manifestation of Wisdom, revealing the Wisdom of the Prajna.

Namo Amituofo