Subduing the Wandering Mind: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Unbidden Shadows of the Past

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

On the twenty-second of November, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings:

As a practitioner, you may believe that you have successfully set aside the events of the past. Yet, when you least expect it, these memories surface in your mind or appear before your eyes. You must understand that this is not merely a random occurrence. It is the manifestation of karma, where beings from your past—your karmic creditors—have drawn these scenes into your present reality to seek revenge and repay grievances.

When these thoughts arise, they are composed of your own delusions, discriminations, and attachment. They are also a clear sign that your Buddha-name recitation is not yet powerful enough to hold your focus. You must be able to instantly raise your awareness in that very moment.

The Peril of the Fluctuating Heart

You must realise that the past heart is unattainable. Everything in this world operates according to the law of arising and ceasing. These visions are merely illusions, a realm of impurity; you must not allow yourself to be led astray by them. If you allow yourself to be drawn into these thoughts, your heart will begin to fluctuate. This instability will invite karmic creditors, attached spirits, and even demon crowds to manifest before you. They will create interference and obstacles to your practice, and this is also the primary reason you may feel drowsy or drift into other dimensions.

The Sword of Wisdom and the Path of Light

At such a time, you must act like Manjushri Bodhisattva wielding the sword of Wisdom (Prajna). You must cut through your confusion and the tangled threads of your afflictions. Immediately raise the Buddha-name and chant it continuously, without any gaps. If you find that your own recitation is interrupted, then follow the rhythm of the Buddha-name machine, ensuring that every single phrase follows the next without a moment of silence.

Focus your entire attention upon the Buddha-name. Direct your thoughts into the name itself. By chanting every word and every phrase with absolute clarity, you will naturally receive the Buddha's blessings. This will allow you to subdue the people, objects, and scenes of the past that have surfaced. It will subdue your delusions, discriminations, and attachment, eventually causing them to dissolve into nothingness. You will then realise that everything was merely an illusion.

The Ultimate Return to Clarity

Alternatively, if you are reciting the scriptures, focus your attention entirely upon the text. Chant every word and every sentence clearly, moving forward without interruption. Recite one passage after another until you have successfully subdued the people, objects, and scenes that cause your heart to fluctuate. Use the compassion, Wisdom (Prajna), and virtue of your practice to subdue coldness, ignorance, and restless movement. Use the infinite compassion, tolerance, and majestic power of the Buddha to subdue the stubbornness of those with strong personalities and the lying words and actions of the demon crowds.

By choosing to chant one Buddha's name to the end, you will subdue all things until nothing remains. In that state, the full light will manifest, which is the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature. Namo Amituofo.