Growing in Faith: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Faith is the essential foundation for any practitioner who seeks to transcend the cycle of rebirth and return to our true home. Within the Buddha’s gate, we speak of the Three Provisions—Faith, Vows, and Practice—as the fundamental requirements for achieving rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Without these, our journey remains incomplete, and our efforts may drift like clouds without a destination, lacking the clarity and direction needed to reach the shore of enlightenment.

The Foundation of the Pure Land Path

To truly succeed in your spiritual journey, you must embrace the path of Faith, Understanding, Practice, and Realisation. This is not a sudden, singular leap, but a steady, step-by-step progression that requires patience and dedication. You must first develop right faith and right understanding in Buddhist education, then apply this wisdom through diligent practice, and finally, realise the truth for yourself. By following this sequence, you ensure that your progress is firmly grounded in the profound wisdom of the Buddhas, allowing you to navigate the complexities of life with a steady heart.

The Mother of All Merit

As the sutras teach us, faith is the source of the path and the mother of all merit. It is the vital, life-giving force that nourishes all your good roots, allowing them to flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. When you have a genuine awakening in your heart, faith naturally comes to the forefront of your life, guiding your every action. You must believe with absolute certainty that your own Buddha-nature is already complete and perfect, even if it is currently obscured by the delusions of samsara. Do not let the cycle of rebirth become a barrier to your true self; instead, use your unwavering faith to pierce through the fog of confusion and reveal the light that has always been within you.

Awakening to Your True Nature

Believe firmly in the guidance of Namo Amituofo, the Great Teacher who leads us home with infinite compassion. In this very life, make the firm vow to seek entry into the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the ultimate goal of your existence, the purpose that gives meaning to all your endeavours. To achieve this, you must be deeply committed to changing your ways and repenting for the mistakes of the past. By transforming your confusion into awakening, you will begin to understand the true meaning of the Buddha’s teachings, seeing the world not as a place of suffering, but as a classroom for your spiritual growth.

Walking the Path of Compassionate Salvation

Your practice must be marked by diligent practice; do not allow yourself to become lazy, complacent, or distracted by the fleeting illusions of the material world. When you apply yourself with total sincerity, you will eventually realise your true self, and your original Buddha-nature will manifest in all its brilliance. Join your efforts with those of Practitioner Su in the noble work of saving the world. As you walk this path, the light of your Dharma Body will shine forth, bringing peace and harmony to all beings you encounter. This is the noble work of a true disciple, and it is the path that leads us all to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Haize.

Namo Amituofo