Opening the Heart: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Barrier of the Self

People in this world are often constrained by the concept of the self and by private, selfish desires. These attachments act as a heavy veil, covering the true heart and preventing it from opening fully. Because of this, the heart remains restricted, unable to express its inherent vastness. If you can remove the ego and selfishness, you will find that your heart begins to open. The space within the heart will expand significantly, allowing you to experience a profound sense of spaciousness and clarity that was previously hidden by your own attachments.

In your practice, if you can diligently purify the heart until it is free from even the slightest trace of pollution, you will realise your true nature. This is the ultimate goal that many practitioners seek. It is the path to awakening and the way to return to your original, pure state.

The Endless Cycle of Samsara

Throughout countless lifetimes, this heart has followed the spirit through the endless cycle of rebirth. We have experienced birth, aging, sickness, and death, enduring immense pain and fleeting joys. In life after life, we have repeated these same dramas, caught in a loop of our own making. People are trapped within this cycle, often confused and unable to see the truth of their existence. Lacking proper education on the nature of reality, they commit acts that cause themselves to suffer or harm other beings. In reality, these harms eventually return to the self; this is the inevitable law of karma.

The Compassionate Sacrifice of Practitioner Su

Consider the demon crowds. Because Practitioner Su uses countless manifestations and the Twelve Lights to perform Chao Du for these beings, they feel fear and launch magical attacks against Practitioner Su’s body, causing him to suffer. This is what it means to take on the suffering of beings. Yet, Practitioner Su does not retreat. Instead, he feels even greater compassion for their suffering, even though they do not understand the pain they cause. He urges the demons to open their hearts and eyes to see the truth of their situation.

A Rare Opportunity for Salvation

Practitioner Su saves these demon crowds, guiding them into the Western Land of Dharma Nature. He stops their evil deeds and the resulting karmic retribution, allowing them to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma in that place. The Western Land of Dharma Nature is a pure Buddha-land of transformation. Once the demon crowds enter, they shed their demonic forms and see the light. This is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. They should be grateful to Practitioner Su and immediately cease their attacks. The demon crowds must understand this truth and turn towards the light of Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo

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