Teachings on the Path to Awakening: Words of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

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

On the fifth of October, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings during the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. These words serve as a beacon for all who seek to walk the path of the Pure Land with sincerity and devotion.

The Strength of an Awakened Being

If you can attain Awakening, you will understand the profound truth of existence. Even if you must endure the physical suffering of illness or the trials of this world, you will know that this body is merely a temporary vessel. Your heart will remain undisturbed, free from the turbulent waves of emotion, and you will harbour no resentment or regret. You will remain steadfast in your commitment to the path of save yourself and others, reaching the Western Pure Land and finding one's own Buddha nature. Because you have attained this clarity, you will not be swayed by the pain of the body. You will not allow the afflictions of the physical form to cause your heart to waver, nor will you let them lead you to abandon your sacred vow to save the world and guide all beings to the Western Pure Land.

The Call of Compassion

If you can truly witness the suffering of all beings and hear their cries for help, your compassion will naturally manifest. When this compassion arises, you will be moved to make a great vow, aligning your heart with the heart of Namo Amituofo. By putting this vow into genuine practice, you will find the opportunity to reach Awakening and attain Buddhahood. You will no longer be someone who sees the suffering of others and remains indifferent, unmoved, or unconcerned. You will no longer be one who lacks the vigilance to see the danger of the cycle of rebirth. Instead, you will break free from the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death, choosing instead the path of liberation.

The Power of the Present Moment

If you can let go of the past and cease worrying about the future, you can focus entirely on the present moment by chanting one Buddha's name to the end. Through this single-minded practice, you will be able to subdue your personality, delusion, discrimination, and attachment. This process allows your Body-Mind-Spirit to be purified. As you continue to chant, your original nature—which is inherently good, compassionate, and wise—will be revealed. By persisting in chanting one Buddha's name to the end, until your personal ego is entirely dissolved, you will enter the state of gathering the Six Roots and keeping the pure thoughts in succession. In this state, you will find that you do not need to rely on other methods, for your heart will open naturally. You will no longer be troubled by the various afflictions that arise from delusion, discrimination, and attachment, and these will no longer serve as obstacles to your practice.

Embodying the Buddha's Vow

If you can adopt the mindset that says, "I am a Buddha, and I must save all beings just as Namo Amituofo does," you will have established a firm foundation for your Pure Land practice. With this noble intention, even when karma or the needs of other beings manifest before you, you will remain undisturbed. You will not be influenced by the past or the present. Instead, you will walk hand-in-hand with Namo Amituofo, your teachers, and Practitioner Su on the path of saving the world, saving yourself, and guiding all beings to the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo.