Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
For Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and those who have realised their true nature, supernatural powers are not something to be sought externally. They are not gained through spiritual attachment, nor are they the result of possession by external spirits. Instead, these abilities are natural instincts that manifest only after one has undergone deep, thorough purification of , mind, and spirit. They are the natural expression of when they have been cleansed of all defilements.
It is vital to understand that these powers exist solely for the purpose of saving beings. They are never meant to be used for personal fame, gain, or worldly profit. If a practitioner seeks these powers for personal benefit, they will inevitably create the of the hells and suffer the corresponding retribution. Therefore, one must be extremely cautious and maintain a pure heart.
The Necessity of in the Age of Decline
In this age of the ’s decline, we live in a world defined by the Five Turbidities and Evil World. To save beings who are stubborn, difficult to subdue, and deeply entrenched in their own delusions, a practitioner must possess a level of skill that exceeds the ordinary. Only by demonstrating such profound capability can one inspire faith in others and guide them toward the right path. Thus, all forms of spiritual power are tools for the salvation of beings, not instruments for personal aggrandisement.
Spirits who no longer possess a physical body are free from the limitations of the flesh. Because of this, their spirits naturally manifest the five types of supernatural powers: the heavenly eye, divine hearing, mind-reading, knowing past lives, and the divine foot.
The Six Powers of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss
Those who have attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss are further blessed by the power of Namo Amituofo’s Forty-eight Great Vows. They possess six types of supernatural powers, including the extinction of outflows, which is the ability that arises once all afflictions have been completely eradicated. The holy assembly in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss can utilise these powers for the benefit of all.
Through the heavenly eye, they can see all Buddha-lands and perceive the state of purity or impurity in every being. Through divine hearing, they can hear the cries of helpless, suffering beings throughout the universe. They possess the knowledge of every being’s karmic history across countless kalpas, and their divine foot allows them to travel with incredible speed, crossing countless Buddha-lands in a single thought. Furthermore, their mind-reading ability allows them to perceive the thoughts, reflections, and desires of every sentient being, while the extinction of outflows ensures the total cessation of all afflictions, so that one never again suffers from the pain of worldly desires.
It is important to recognise that these powers are not attained through the individual effort of the beings in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Rather, they are granted through the immense compassion and the power of the vows of Namo Amituofo. It is His blessing that enables these beings to possess such extraordinary capabilities.
Walking the Path of the Buddha
In our own practice within the human world, we must walk step by step, focusing on the purification of our own hearts. As we progress and our practice deepens, these natural instincts will begin to manifest. Those who chant the name of Namo Amituofo may also receive the Buddha’s , which support and accelerate their spiritual growth. Everything we do must be conducted in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
To know the facts of reality and to walk firmly within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way is the mark of a successful practitioner. Like the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we must dedicate our lives to the work of saving countless suffering beings, never pausing in our efforts to lead them toward the light of .
