Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the eighth of November, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these compassionate teachings during the .
The of Our Ancestors
There is a common saying that to err is human, for who among us is a sage or a saint? This wisdom from our ancestors is rooted in a deep, compassionate, and tolerant heart. It is spoken to remind those who have made mistakes that there is always an opportunity to change your ways. When you have committed a fault, the most important thing is to correct it and ensure that you do not repeat the same error again.
The Process of Purification
Consider the analogy of water. If you have a vessel of dirty water, and you continuously pour fresh, clean water into it, the impurities will eventually be diluted. However, this is only the beginning of the process. If you are truly committed to your practice, you must take the further step of emptying out the contaminated water entirely. By washing away the residue and refilling the vessel with pure water, you can restore it to its original, pristine state. This is the essence of purification for the practitioner.
The Reality of Karmic Consequences
We must understand that every time we commit a fault, we are planting a negative cause. When the Causal Conditions mature, the result will inevitably manifest. These consequences are experienced through our Body-Mind-Spirit and may manifest in various ways throughout our lives, including the natural processes of birth, aging, sickness, and death; unexpected and difficult situations; and the internal suffering that stems from our own unresolved . Regardless of how these consequences appear, they are all forms of suffering.
If you are engaged in spiritual practice, you must be diligent in your efforts to purify yourself and work to change your personality traits. When you identify where you have gone wrong, you must act swiftly to correct it.
The Discipline of the Mind
There is a profound teaching that reminds us: do not neglect to perform a small act of Goodness, and do not commit a small act of evil. You must be extremely cautious with every thought and intention that arises in your mind. Even the most subtle evil thought must be avoided. This is the standard of self-discipline that you must set for yourself. If you can truly achieve this level of awareness, you will be able to avoid triggering the negative causes you have planted in the past, thereby sparing yourself from the bitter fruits of suffering. This is the true value of spiritual practice.
The Ultimate Remedy
In your practice, you must clearly recognise the dangers of the following attachments and afflictions: the (Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt) and the (wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep). You must recognise these as faults, and you must be swift to change your ways and cut them off completely. If you fail to correct these mistakes and allow them to accumulate, your minor faults will eventually grow into major ones. At that point, you will face the suffering of negative retribution or even the suffering of the hells. You must be cautious and vigilant.
The most effective method for correcting your mistakes and purifying your Body, Speech, and Mind is to chant one Buddha's name to the end. By maintaining the Buddha-name 24/7, you ensure that your practice remains continuous and uninterrupted. This is the key to success in your spiritual journey.
