Putting in the Work: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Foundation of True Practice

Transforming your personality traits is the very foundation where you must put in the most diligent work in your practice. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the fourfold assembly of disciples is frequently reminded of this vital task. We are often told to examine ourselves and change our habitual tendencies. However, one must ask: how much have we truly changed our personalities thus far? Many of us are still struggling, working hard to overcome the deep-seated patterns that define our daily lives.

It is important to realise that these personality traits did not emerge only in this lifetime. They were formed over many lifetimes and countless eons. Throughout the cycle of reincarnation, whenever we encounter people, events, or environments that trigger these traits, they manifest instantly. These triggers are, in essence, the manifestation of our karma. Because your personality is a direct reflection of your karmic history, when your personality traits surface, it is a clear sign that your karma has manifested before you.

The Vigilance of the Mind

There are still many internal personality traits that have not yet been triggered. You must maintain a state of meditative concentration so that you do not easily react to external stimuli. By keeping your heart still, you prevent these traits from being stirred, which in turn prevents you from attracting further negative karma. Remember, when your personality surfaces, it is a signal that your karmic creditors have arrived. Unless your karmic bonds have been fully resolved, these traits will not simply vanish into thin air.

To assist in this process of transformation, you may utilise several supportive methods:

• Repentance: Sincerely acknowledging your past mistakes to clear the heart.
• Inviting Spirits: Welcoming karmic creditors to join in the practice of listening to the Dharma.
• Resolving Conflicts: Actively seeking to settle grievances with those you have harmed in the past.
• Chao Du: Performing spiritual deliverance to help beings leave suffering behind and find happiness.

The most important aspect of this work is to raise your level of awareness. Before a personality trait fully manifests, you must be able to suppress it, thereby avoiding the creation of new negative karma.

The Power of the Buddha-Name

Chanting the name of Namo Amituofo is the most effective method to suppress the manifestation of these personality traits. However, for this to be effective, your practice must have true attainment. You must strive to keep the Buddha-name flowing continuously in your heart, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When you can maintain this, you will be able to transform your environment and suppress the rise of delusions and personality-driven reactions.

If your practice lacks this strength, it will be difficult to resist the pull of your personality when it surfaces. You may find yourself led by these traits into creating negative karma, or you may be influenced by karmic creditors to enter other dimensions, manifesting as a state of dullness or drowsiness. Maintaining the continuity of the Buddha-name is a task that requires immense effort; it is not something that can be achieved overnight.

However, if you do not put in the work, you will simply allow your karma and personality to dictate your life, drifting through one lifetime after another. You must listen to the guidance of Namo Amituofo, the teachings of your teachers, and the words of Practitioner Su. Only by having faith, not doubting, and putting in the work to change your ways can you receive the actual benefits of your practice.

The Path to Enlightenment

To make genuine progress, you must be diligent in your daily life:

• The Three Learnings: Diligently practise the Three Learnings of Precepts, Samadhi, and Wisdom.
• The Six Perfections: Incorporate the Six Perfections into your daily conduct.
• Cultivation: Nurture your compassion, Wisdom, mind-capacity, and ability to be inclusive.
• Overcoming Obstacles: During your daily practice, put in the work to overcome drowsiness and prevent your mind from wandering into other dimensions.
• Purification: Focus on Purifying the body, heart, and spirit.

The fourfold assembly of disciples must strive to achieve these goals with diligence. Only then can we say that our practice is truly advancing. Namo Amituofo.