Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
The Resonance of the Sacred Name
Every time you chant the name of Namo Amituofo, it either originates from a place far away or it arises from the very depths of your heart. You must observe your own mind to see how it truly relates to the Buddha. If your faith in the Buddha is firm and unmoving, then every single chant of the Buddha-name arises directly from your heart. It begins within, and from there, it radiates outward to orbit your entire body.
This happens because your heart is in sync with the Buddha-heart. When this resonance is achieved, you are able to receive the Buddha's . These blessings imbue the Buddha-name with immense energy and light, creating a transformative power that permeates your entire being.
The Healing of the Inner Realm
When this light and energy are present, the impact on your inner world is profound. Consider the various beings that reside within or around you: your own cells are nourished and purified by the light of the Buddha-name; , who have come to seek balance for past grievances, find their resentment softened; attached spirits, who have been wandering in darkness, find a sense of peace; and even the demon crowds, who are typically hostile, find their hearts filled with upon hearing the sacred name.
Through this process, karmic debts are dissolved, and the deep-seated hatred that has bound these beings to you for lifetimes begins to fade. They are given the opportunity to find liberation and release, as the power of merit and the majestic power of the Buddha's blessings work to heal the wounds of the past.
The Barrier of a Closed Heart
Conversely, if you are a practitioner who chants without the Buddha in your heart—or if your faith is not yet firm—the situation is quite different. Even if the sound of the Buddha-name rings clearly in your ears, it remains as if it were coming from a distant place. You may hear it, but you do not truly perceive it. This occurs because your heart has not yet achieved the necessary resonance with the Buddha-heart.
Even if the Buddha wishes to bestow blessings upon you, you are unable to receive them. This is because you have closed the doors of your heart, perhaps even locking them tightly to prevent anything from the outside from entering. If the heart is closed, how can you possibly receive the energy and light that the Buddha is constantly sending to you?
The Infinite of the Vows
Those who chant the Buddha-name continuously from the heart are truly blessed. This is because the name of Namo Amituofo is filled with the power of the Forty-eight Great Vows, as well as the magnificent power of merit and the majestic power of the Buddha's blessings. When you chant with this understanding, you are tapping into an infinite source of support.
When you hold the conviction that, "I am a Buddha, and I am here to save all beings," your faith becomes unshakable. In this state of firm, unwavering belief, every chant of the Buddha-name flows from your heart and receives the compassionate blessings of Namo Amituofo. This provides a true refuge for yourself, your cells, your karmic creditors, your attached spirits, and even the demon crowds. They no longer need to drift or wander in the cycle of rebirth; they no longer need to harbour resentment or seek revenge.
The Path to the
Through diligent practice and the constant chanting of Namo Amituofo, you can rediscover your true self. You can make the sincere vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In the sound of your chanting, as you embody the realisation that you are a Buddha here to save all beings, you follow the Buddha in the work of saving all boundless suffering sentient beings. Namo Amituofo.
