The Heart of the Teacher: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Paradox of the Teacher's Heart

As a teacher, I possess no mind, yet I have a heart. I engage in no action, yet I am always acting. You may wonder where this heart and this action come from. They arise from my constant observation of the fourfold assembly here at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I watch your practice, observing how you move forward and then retreat, caught in a cycle of hesitation and doubt.

Some of you retreat and never advance again; for those, you must break through your barriers and let your vow manifest. Others retreat only slightly, yet you know to exercise restraint. However, returning to your original position is a truly dangerous path. It is rare to see a practitioner who moves straight ahead, step by step, until they realise their true self-nature. When faced with tests, most choose to retreat; it is difficult to find those who can pass these tests and continue to move forward with unwavering resolve.

The Weight of Emotional Attachments

The primary obstacle for most practitioners is the barrier of emotion. You find yourselves trapped by your feelings, unable to let go of the attachments that weigh down your heart. You ask yourselves when you should let go, but the truth is that the time is now. If you do not let go at this moment, when will you ever be free? Only those who can truly let go possess the great wisdom required for this path.

I hope that every student will rise with renewed effort. Through diligent practice and prostrations, your karmic obstacles will be eliminated. When your body, mind, and spirit are purified, you will attain a state of pure Goodness. In this state, your Dharma-nature will manifest, and you will not fail the grace of Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

The Path of the Forty-eight Great Vows

As Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre leads the assembly forward, the sentient beings of the Dharma Realm rejoice. When your eyes open to see the truth, you will be able to distinguish clearly between the Buddha and the demon. You will be able to subdue the demon through a state of no-mind, which is the very essence of the Buddha's actions and vows.

My heart as your teacher is simple and singular. I wish for all students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to grow and flourish. My hopes for you are clear:

• That you achieve success in the Buddha's path and attain the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi.
• That you reach the achievement of Awakening, becoming beings who are no longer subject to aging, illness, or the death of the spirit.
• That you become true practitioners of the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo in this human world.
• That you act as dedicated disciples who follow the Buddha to save all sentient beings.
• That you propagate the Buddha’s teachings and the Pure Land throughout the human world and the Dharma Realm.
• That you return to the Western Pure Land in this very life and never again enter the cycle of reincarnation.

This is the path of the true practitioner. By remaining diligent and keeping your focus on the Western Pure Land, you will fulfil your purpose and find the ultimate happiness that Namo Amituofo offers to all beings. Do not let this precious opportunity pass you by.

Namo Amituofo