Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the sixth of July, 2025, during the third session of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance:
The Strategy of Swift Victory
The concept of swift victory is a well-known strategy from the ancient text, The Art of War. When applied to the context of spiritual practice, however, its meaning transcends mere physical speed. Whether your actions are fast or slow is secondary to the state of your heart. If you can maintain a state where your body may be in motion, but your heart remains perfectly still, you possess a significant advantage in your practice.
This is because when your heart dwells in deep meditative concentration, it is not easily swayed or pulled by external conditions. You are able to perceive the true reality of situations without becoming confused or creating new . Conversely, if your heart follows the movements of your body or fluctuates with external circumstances, you become vulnerable to being led astray. You may fail to see the truth of a situation, become trapped in doubt, or lose your way entirely. This leads to improper actions of Body, Speech, and Mind, which in turn creates heavy sins.
Decisive Action Against Obstacles
There are times when a situation requires immediate attention. If you hesitate, the circumstances may change for the worse. In such cases, you should not delay; you must act with the resolve of swift victory. This is essential because every thought and intention you hold acts as a signal that can attract various influences, such as , attached spirits, and even demon crowds, all of which manifest to obstruct your practice and cause your Body-Mind-Spirit to suffer.
Whether you are moving at a measured pace or acting with swift decisiveness, the wise practitioner remains unmoved. Your heart should remain as calm as a still lake, without a single ripple, allowing you to face the next wave of challenges with clarity and composure.
The Path of Purification
The goal of our practice is the elevation of our spiritual quality. If you encounter people, objects, or environments that cause your body to sink into the mire of desire, your spiritual nature will inevitably descend. When you feel your heart becoming restless, or when negative emotions and arise, you must act quickly. You should distance yourself from such environments or cease the activity that is causing this disturbance.
For matters that are currently in progress, apply the principle of swift victory. Do not allow these negative conditions to persist, as they will only create obstacles and cause your practice to regress. By acting decisively, you protect the sanctity of your journey.
The Path at Hsiang Kuang
In our current era, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, serves as a place where Namo Amituofo truly abides. The direction of our practice is clear and singular: there is no past to dwell upon, and there is no future to chase. There is only the present moment, where we chant one Buddha's name to the end, from the moment of our first aspiration until the final attainment of Buddhahood.
This path is a supreme method designed to help all beings continue to make progress through the purification of chanting Namo Amituofo, ultimately leading to the achievement of the Buddha's path in this very lifetime. Namo Amituofo.
