Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the fourteenth of February, 2025, during the midday offering of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these essential teachings to all practitioners.
The Heart of the Infinite Life Sutra
The core instruction found within the Infinite Life Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the , Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Sutra) is to "arouse the Bodhi mind and single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo." This is the fundamental pillar for any practitioner who aspires to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is a point that every serious student of the path must understand with absolute clarity.
To "single-mindedly recite" means to have no divided heart. It means to chant the Holy Name of Namo Amituofo all the way, without deviation or hesitation. When your practice reaches a state of maturity, it becomes a singular focus where there are no other thoughts in your mind—only the Buddha-name remains.
The Constant Flow of the Holy Name
A true practitioner of the Buddha-name is one who can maintain this recitation 24/7 without interruption. This state of being is one where the mind is free from delusions and messy thoughts. It is a state of an unmoved mind, where one reaches a level of "reciting while not reciting, and not reciting while reciting." In truth, even when it seems there is no thought, there is still the presence of the Buddha-name, and every thought and intention continues in an unbroken, continuous stream.
Regardless of the situations you encounter or the environments that manifest before you, you must maintain your focus. Whether you are facing good conditions that bring comfort, difficult or negative conditions that bring suffering, or appearances that seem like the Buddha or demons, your task remains the same: single-mindedly recite and chant Namo Amituofo. You must hold onto the Holy Name firmly, never letting go. Let one recitation follow another, ensuring that the flow is continuous and that no external condition is allowed to interrupt your connection to the Buddha.
The Danger of Interruption
Once you allow the recitation to be interrupted, you become susceptible to being led astray or distracted by external influences. This is no longer "single-minded" practice. If the Holy Name of Namo Amituofo is broken, you have effectively entered a dangerous state. To step away from the Buddha-name is to immediately return to the cycle of creating through your every thought and intention. The only difference is whether that karma is considered good or bad, but both keep you bound to the cycle of rebirth.
Navigating Life with Wisdom
Do not forget the warning given by Ksitigarbha , who cautioned that every thought and intention of beings in this world is nothing but karma and nothing but sin. As a practitioner, the more you engage in purification, the more sensitive you will become to the external environment. You will also become acutely aware of the subtle changes occurring within your own body, mind, and spirit.
At such times, it is vital that you respond with and Wisdom. The most effective way to handle any situation is to arouse the Bodhi mind and single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo. By doing so, you invite the power of merit, the majestic power, and the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo to descend upon you. Through this divine support, you can resolve all disasters and obstacles that stand in your way. Namo Amituofo.
