Self-Rescue: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Synergy of Dual Power

The Pure Land path is a practice of dual power, which refers to the combination of self-power and the power of Namo Amituofo. This is not a passive path, but one that requires you to actively engage your own efforts. Whether you are holding the sacred name, offering sincere repentance, reciting the sutras, or performing prostrations, these actions serve as the foundation that allows you to receive the compassionate assistance of Namo Amituofo.

When your self-power and the Buddha's power work in harmony, your practice will yield twice the result with half the effort. You may find yourself gaining sudden insights, resolving long-standing difficulties, or feeling your commitment to the Pure Land path grow significantly stronger. However, whether you can truly receive the Buddha's blessings depends primarily upon the state of your heart.

Aligning the Heart with the Buddha

Namo Amituofo clearly understands the heart of every being. If your heart is genuinely directed toward the Buddha's path, and if your practice is motivated by the desire to save and liberate all beings, then your heart will be in sync with the Buddha-heart. Furthermore, if your practice is conducted in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, then once you have initiated your own efforts, you will surely receive the Buddha's blessings. The Buddha's heart is eternally compassionate, and His work to save beings never ceases.

The Foundation of Self-Rescue

The most essential method for self-rescue is the transformation of your personality and habits. This is the primary task for every practitioner. Your personality is a manifestation of your accumulated karma, and it is closely related to whether your karmic creditors appear to challenge you. Therefore, you must strive to transcend your ego, follow the conditions of life with a calm mind, and cultivate the dual virtues of compassion and wisdom. This is the true appearance of a dedicated practitioner.

Perseverance Through Obstacles

If you encounter difficulties in your practice, you must rely on self-rescue. Do not allow yourself to retreat or abandon your practice. Maintaining a firm belief in yourself and in the Buddha is of the utmost importance. If you do not solidify your faith in the Buddha, you may begin to doubt Him when you face hardship, and in doing so, you will lose the greatest of all benefits.

The Weight of Every Thought

You must engage in deep self-reflection. Throughout countless aeons, we have offended countless beings and created immeasurable karma. Within the laws of karma and cause and effect, we have sown seeds that, when the conditions mature, will inevitably manifest as results. As the saying goes, even after a hundred or a thousand aeons, the karma we have created does not disappear. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious with your Body, Speech, and Mind. Use the act of chanting Namo Amituofo to replace every wandering thought and intention. Do not allow your mind to drift, thinking of this and that. Every single thought you produce has corresponding beings attached to it. If the thought is virtuous, it is well; but if it is evil, you will attract countless karmic creditors from within, attached spirits from without, and even demon crowds. How could you not suffer under such conditions? Therefore, keep your mind pure and chant Namo Amituofo all the way.

Namo Amituofo