My Heart Wanders in the Infinite: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the thirtieth of August, 2024, during the noon offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance on the nature of spiritual immersion.

The State of Total Immersion

To wander, in the spiritual sense, is to be fully immersed in a state of being where one is completely absorbed, to the point of forgetting oneself entirely. It is a state of profound, natural flow. You may ask, what is it that allows a person who chants Namo Amituofo to wander so freely within their own practice? It is when every single thought is focused solely on the Buddha. It is when you chant to the point where there is no longer a sense of self, and no longer a sense of a thinking mind.

When you chant Namo Amituofo, you must reach a state where you and the vast earth, and indeed the entire world around you, merge into one singular, harmonious existence. When you chant, you must reach a point where you are not consciously chanting, yet the chanting continues; where you are not thinking, yet the Buddha’s name is ever-present in your heart. This is the true meaning of wandering within the sacred name of Namo Amituofo.

Merging with the Infinite

When your heart wanders within the sacred name of Namo Amituofo, you are entering a realm of boundless light. Countless suffering beings throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm are also chanting this sacred name, and by entering the golden light of Namo Amituofo, they are all saved. My heart wanders within the great ocean of Namo Amituofo’s vows. My heart wanders within the cool, tranquil, and liberated state of my own true self.

In this defiled and evil world of suffering, during this age of the Dharma’s decline, sentient beings have no other refuge but to rely upon the great vows of Namo Amituofo and the power of His sacred name to find salvation.

The Four Great Vows in Practice

We feel profound gratitude that Namo Amituofo is residing here at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and that Practitioner Su has appeared in this world to manifest the Dharma Body of an awakened being. Because of this, the countless spirits throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm and our own world are able to be saved. This is the fulfilment of the first vow: Beings are numberless, I vow to save them all.

We are also grateful for the words of Namo Amituofo and the teachings provided by Practitioner Su, who explains the profound meaning of the sutras. This allows all beings to find a true place of refuge, fulfilling the second vow: Afflictions are endless, I vow to end them all. We offer our deepest gratitude to Namo Amituofo, to the teachers, and to Practitioner Su for their guidance in observing our capacities and teaching us according to our needs, so that we may save countless suffering beings. This is the fulfilment of the third vow: Dharma gates are boundless, I vow to learn them all.

Finally, we are grateful for the support and protection of Namo Amituofo, our teachers, and Practitioner Su on the path to Buddhahood. Through their help, we can dissolve our karma, attain purity, and realise our true self, fulfilling the final vow: The Buddha’s path is supreme, I vow to attain it.

Namo Amituofo.