Protecting the Heart: Teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Sacred Vigil of the Heart

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, these teachings were delivered during the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on March 9, 2025. Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju reminds us that the heart is the foundation of our entire spiritual journey. You must guard your heart with the utmost care, ensuring that it does not become clouded or stained by the dust of worldly attachments. Every thought you cultivate should be directed toward the benefit of all beings, rather than being confined to the narrow interests of your own physical self.

Beyond the Shadows of Self-Interest

It is a common habit for us to act for ourselves instead of for the collective. We often find that our thoughts are heavily weighted toward personal gain, with very little left for the welfare of others. In the eyes of the Dharma, acting solely for oneself is considered a path of impurity, while acting for the benefit of all beings is the path of true goodness. If you can clearly distinguish between these two paths, choosing always to act for the benefit of others, you will not only receive the blessings of goodness, but your own personal burdens will naturally begin to dissolve. This is the way of the wise.

The Radiant Path of Transformation

If you are willing to listen and change, you can begin the process of protecting and transforming your heart. This transformation will make your heart clearer, allowing you to see every situation with absolute clarity and wisdom. You must then continue your diligent practice, engaging in purification, and then more purification, until you finally realise your true nature. Whether you are considering your own needs or the needs of others, you must always remain vigilant in protecting your heart from negativity.

The Eternal Resonance of the Buddha-Name

The most effective way to protect your heart is to keep the name of Namo Amituofo within it. Let every thought be a recitation of Namo Amituofo. We encourage all beings to chant together, for this collective voice can wash away the deepest stains of impurity. By maintaining continuous chanting without interruption, you leave no room for deluded thoughts to arise. To chant one Buddha's name to the end is the most effective remedy for protecting your heart. Through this practice, you will gain the wisdom to know what is right to do and what must be avoided. When there is meditative concentration within the heart, wisdom will naturally manifest. By keeping a good heart, speaking kind words, doing good deeds, and being a good person, you will give rise to all roots of goodness and achieve the fruit of Bodhi. Do not let your heart become stained; you must put these teachings into actual practice.

Namo Amituofo