Essential Teachings for the Fourfold Assembly from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the ninth of November, 2024, during the noon offering of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance to the fourfold assembly.

The Boundless Radiance of the Sacred Sanctuary

Members of the fourfold assembly at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre must understand the true nature of this sacred place. Because Namo Amituofo is residing here, the influence of this temple extends throughout the entire Dharma Realm. The universe, the Milky Way, and our Earth are all contained within this vast field of influence. In truth, the causal conditions connected to this centre are immeasurable and boundless.

The reason so many beings are able to come to Hsiang Kuang to seek Chao Du is precisely because Namo Amituofo is present here. I ask that the fourfold assembly keep this truth clearly in your hearts and minds at all times.

Expanding the Mind to Encompass All

I invite the fourfold assembly to open your hearts wide. You must cultivate a mind-capacity that can encompass all things, just as Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su do. The beings connected to Hsiang Kuang are truly infinite in number. At this very moment, the work of Chao Du for the beings within our bodies is being conducted continuously.

This is a matter that you must never forget, especially in these times. When you put your wisdom into practice, you must be cautious in your speech and prudent in your actions. If your every thought and intention is driven by selfishness or a sense of self, that is evil. Only when you are selfless and free from the ego can you truly be considered to be acting in accordance with Goodness.

The Unfolding of Karmic Truths

Whether you are engaging in good thoughts, good deeds, and good works, or falling into evil thoughts, evil deeds, and evil works, everything is unfolding within the laws of karmic conditions and the causes and effects. If you plant a good cause, you will reap a good fruit; if you plant an evil cause, you will reap an evil fruit. This is not empty talk; it is the absolute truth of our existence.

To feel genuine shame, to repent sincerely, and to change your ways—this is the supreme path to saving yourself. It is never too late to begin this process. To lead and perform Chao Du for beings from the ten directions is the fundamental heart and vow of Namo Amituofo.

The Diligent Path to Awakening

Each of you must work with diligent practice and persistence. Do not continue to place the focus of your practice on the "self." Your physical body, your personal feelings, and your attachments to what you receive are all obstacles that hinder your practice and your progress. You must let go of these things; do not hold onto them tightly. A wise person is one who can understand this truth and put it into practice. This is what it means to be a true child of Namo Amituofo at Hsiang Kuang.

You must be compassionate and clear-sighted. Saving yourself is the most important task. To be humble and modest, and to change your personality traits, is the primary requirement for self-salvation. This means you must resolve the conflicts with the beings within our bodies and perform Chao Du for them. You do not need memorial tablets to achieve this resolution. These beings are suffering just as we are; they also need to save themselves, enter the Dharma-Nature Land, and find relief from their suffering within the Buddha-light.

Diligence and persistent effort are the practical actions of self-salvation. Each of you is a person of great potential. By respecting one another and growing together, you are participating in a great event for the entire Dharma Realm. Let us walk together toward Awakening and the work of saving all beings.

Namo Amituofo