The Appearance of the Heart and Mind: Teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

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

March 22, 2026.

The Boundless Nature of the Dharma Realm and the Cycle of Suffering

Where does the Dharma Realm reside? It is not merely a distant place; it exists right here, manifesting within your own heart and mind. Your heart must be as vast as the infinite universe; only when your heart is truly boundless can it contain the boundless truth of the Dharma. When the heart is narrow, it is restricted by its own limitations, but when it is opened, it becomes a vessel for the infinite.

Beings of the six paths suffer deeply. Their suffering stems from a cycle of mutual consumption and conflict. When the heart is filled only with the ego—when it is covered by the heavy veil of selfishness—it becomes impossible to welcome others in. Instead, there is only friction, misunderstanding, and conflict. This leads to the accumulation of heavy karma, and the resulting karmic retribution is a burden that is truly difficult to bear.

The Precious Opportunity of the Present and the Luminous Heart

This physical life is limited, lasting only a few short decades. In this brief span, one may either perform acts of Goodness to save countless beings or commit evil deeds that lead one into the three evil realms. Therefore, you must diligently protect and regulate your heart. At this very moment, you have encountered Namo Amituofo, who provides the guidance for your journey to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You must cherish this path, for it is an opportunity that is difficult to encounter even across countless lifetimes.

What is the appearance of the heart? If you remain within the mundane world, you are merely manifesting the cycle of rebirth: the karma of rebirth, the appearance of rebirth, the heart of rebirth, and the actions of rebirth. Beings of the six paths find it difficult to escape because they are lost within the illusions of this cycle. However, if you practise the Dharma, you can find a solution to this cycle of rebirth. When you resolve the attachments of the heart, the true appearance of the heart reveals its inherent light. The heart becomes luminous and clear.

Transcending the Illusion of Time and Delusion

When you attain liberation, you transcend the boundaries of the past, the present, and the future. The past has already passed and is gone forever. The present cannot be held onto; the present moment is simply what is happening right now. As for the future, there is no need to dwell on it, for it is unknown. Why should you let your mind be moved by it? All these thoughts are merely delusions. You must remove them; to have a heart free from such attachments is the correct way.

The true appearance of the heart is known to those who have realised their true nature, and it is clearly perceived by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This is the path that the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre must follow. You must grasp every minute and every second; even a fleeting moment is a precious opportunity for practice, for achievement, and for attaining salvation.

Namo Amituofo