Sincere Buddha-Recitation: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

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

On the fourth of October, 2025, during the Third Session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings on the practice of sincere Buddha-recitation.

The Essence of Sincere Devotion

What does it truly mean to practise sincere Buddha-recitation? The term "sincere" refers to a heart that has reached the absolute peak of earnestness and honesty. It is a state of mind where your devotion is pure, unwavering, and completely focused. When we speak of reciting the Buddha's name, we refer specifically to the Holy Name, "Namo Amituofo."

Therefore, sincere Buddha-recitation is the act of chanting with a heart so earnest that it is entirely free from the three obstacles that typically cloud our awareness: delusion, discrimination, and attachment. When you are free from these, you do not merely recite with your lips; you recite with your entire being. In that moment, there is nothing else but the continuous, direct flow of the Buddha's name.

The Promise of the Eighteenth Vow

In the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo, the Eighteenth Vow is of supreme importance. It speaks of "sincere faith and joy" and the power of even "ten recitations." This refers to the state of sincere Buddha-recitation, where one's heart is so aligned with the Buddha that, even if it is only for a single moment or up to ten moments of focused chanting, the result is guaranteed.

Namo Amituofo promises: "I, along with the assembly of Bodhisattvas, will appear before you. In the blink of an eye, you will be reborn in my land." Here, the "I" refers to Namo Amituofo himself. To be sincere is to have no other thoughts; it is to possess only one heart—the heart of the Buddha.

The Infinite Power of the Holy Name

This sincere heart is incredibly precious. It is said that a single utterance of the name of Namo Amituofo can eradicate the suffering of eighty billion kalpas of birth and death. How can such a small act carry such immense weight? It is only possible because the Holy Name contains the supreme, boundless merit and the majestic spiritual power of Namo Amituofo’s blessings.

When you chant "Namo Amituofo" and continue to do so without interruption, you are tapping into this infinite reservoir of grace. As Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva teaches in the chapter on the perfect penetration of Buddha-recitation: "Gather in the Six Roots, and keep the pure thoughts continuous. Without relying on other methods, you will naturally achieve an awakened mind."

The Path to Awakening

The "pure thoughts" mentioned here refer to the Holy Name of Namo Amituofo itself. This teaching highlights the most vital aspects of your practice: gathering the Six Roots, where you turn your senses inward and do not let your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind chase after external sights and sounds; and maintaining continuous pure thoughts, ensuring that the Buddha's name remains the sole focus of your consciousness.

When you practise in this way, you do not need to seek out complex methods or external aids. Your mind will naturally open, your intentions will become clear, and you will find yourself in perfect sync with your own Buddha-nature. This is the path to Awakening. There is no past to dwell upon and no future to fear. There is only the present moment, and in that moment, you must chant Namo Amituofo all the way. This is the true meaning of sincere Buddha-recitation. By doing so, you will naturally receive the full support of the Buddha's blessings. The more pure and filled with Goodness your heart becomes, the more you will feel the strength of Namo Amituofo’s power. Through the union of your own sincere effort and the Buddha's compassionate blessings, you will surely achieve the ultimate goal of liberation.

Namo Amituofo