I Am Buddha: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Original Nature of the Buddha

On the thirteenth of April, 2025, during the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound words of guidance. He reminds us that the path to enlightenment begins with the recognition of our own true nature.

I am Buddha. This is the fundamental truth of my existence. I possess the original, luminous true self that has never been lost, even amidst the chaos of the world. I am Buddha, and this is who I have always been, from the very beginning of time.

I am Buddha, and my nature is as clear and transparent as the vast, unclouded sky. There is no darkness, no shadow, and no ignorance that can obscure this brilliance. In my heart, there is only room for all beings. I have let go of the 'self' that causes so much suffering and attachment; I have no selfish desires, for I have truly let go of the 'self' entirely.

The Vow to Save All Beings

I am Buddha, and I vow to follow the path of the Buddha in all my actions. My commitment is to chant one Buddha's name to the end, holding fast to the name of Namo Amituofo with unwavering faith. I am Buddha, and like the Buddha, I have come into this world to save others. My mission is to rescue countless suffering beings from the cycle of reincarnation.

However, to truly save others, I must first turn my compassion inward. I must save the countless beings residing within my own body. We must understand that our physical form is a vessel for many. These beings are our parents, teachers, family members, and karmic creditors from our accumulated lifetimes. They have followed us through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, suffering alongside us.

The Path of Purification and Deliverance

I wish to save the beings within my own body. I pray that they will no longer be reincarnated into the cycle of suffering. I pray that they will no longer have to endure the pain of birth, aging, sickness, and death. I invite all of you to join me in this sacred practice. Let us chant Namo Amituofo together, and let us chant one Buddha's name to the end.

Through the power of the Buddha's blessings, we can purify our hearts and minds. Together, we can see our true self and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. I am Buddha, and the Buddha is the embodiment of pure Goodness. There are no delusions, no messy thoughts, and no distractions in the mind of a Buddha. There is only the clarity of chanting one Buddha's name to the end.

I am Buddha, and in this state of being, there is no 'self' to defend. There are no karmic creditors to fear, no resentment to hold, and no sorrow to carry. We are free because we realise that, in our original nature, we are all Buddha. Namo Amituofo.

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