Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.
During the first session of the held on the fourteenth of March, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided essential guidance for all practitioners seeking to leave the cycle of suffering behind.
The Ledger of Our Accumulated Lives
The history of our existence across accumulated lifetimes is a vast and complex tapestry of experiences. Although we may not consciously remember these past lives in our current state, our holds a detailed and indelible record of every action, word, and thought. This is our personal ledger of the laws of and cause and effect. It tracks the trajectory of our spirits as we have moved through time, documenting the seeds we have sown and the fruits we have harvested.
Our karma is often described as being heavier than Mount Sumeru and deeper than the vast oceans. When we examine the balance of our actions, we often find that the weight of our negative deeds far outweighs our goodness. Consequently, the suffering we have endured is far greater than the fleeting moments of happiness we have experienced. This burden is truly heavy, and it is the primary reason we find ourselves still wandering in the six realms of rebirth.
The Weight of Karmic Debt
Our spirits have taken on countless different forms, moving through the six realms of rebirth in this world and in countless others. We have been caught in a relentless current of sinking and drifting, appearing in different stages of life and experiencing the inevitable cycles of aging, sickness, and death. Everything we encounter in this life is a manifestation of these and the causes and effects we have set in motion long ago.
Because we do not see the hidden causes behind our lives, we often feel helpless against the circumstances that arise. However, we must realise that these are not random events. They are the ripening of seeds planted in the distant past. To break free from this cycle, we must understand that our current situation is a direct result of our past, and our future depends entirely on how we choose to practise today.
The Still Heart Amidst the World
True practice lies in maintaining a heart that remains unmoved, even while we are active and engaged in the world. We can perform a thousand tasks, yet our heart must remain as still as a mountain. This stillness is the central axis of our practice. Therefore, the most important task for any practitioner is to cultivate and adjust this heart.
When we allow our hearts to be stirred by external circumstances, we lose our focus. We must learn to act without being moved by the world. This is the essence of meditative concentration. When the heart is still, we are no longer easily swayed by the desires or the poisons that have kept us trapped in the six realms of rebirth for so long.
The Trap of Looking Back
Do not look back. The past was as it was, and this life is merely a continuation of that same pattern. When we dwell on the past, we stir up old memories, and our hearts become agitated once more. We find ourselves laughing at past joys, weeping over past sorrows, and clinging to the memories of those we have met and lost. This life is full of such fluctuations because we are still attached to this physical body and its experiences.
If you recognise your faults, you must acknowledge them, let them go immediately, and focus on changing your personality traits. This is the most crucial step. If you continue to cling to your old ways, you will remain stuck. If your heart is moved by the past, you invite karmic forces to manifest. This can lead to spiritual attachments, the onset of illness, and the eventual return of the cycle of aging, sickness, and death. When this happens, your practice will falter, your chanting will lose its strength, and you will find yourself unable to secure your rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss.
The Path to Eternal Purity
Therefore, I urge you: do not look back. Live fully in the present moment and chant one Buddha's name to the end. By focusing entirely on Namo Amituofo, you can transcend the cycle of rebirth. Make it your sincere vow to chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In doing so, you will eventually reach the time when you can remove defilements and attain purity, finally realising your true nature as an awakened being.
