The Near-Term Goal of Practice

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

May 23, 2025.

In the journey of spiritual practice, one must first establish a firm aspiration. Once this vow is set, you must move forward step by step, beginning from where you are now. For those who aspire to become an awakened being, reaching the state of no-self is a natural and essential process. This is the direction in which all practitioners must strive.

The Path to Forgetting the Self

To reach the ultimate state of no-self, you must first achieve the near-term goal of forgetting the self. This means learning to let go of the constant preoccupation with your own existence. When you truly forget the self, you naturally enter the state of no-self. The most effective method to achieve this is to chant one Buddha's name to the end.

As you chant, you will eventually reach a point where you forget that there is a self who is chanting. You enter a state where you are chanting yet not chanting, and not chanting yet chanting. You continue to chant directly and without interruption. Even when you reach the state of no-self—where there is no longer a self who is chanting—you will find that the continuous chanting of Buddha's name persists 24/7, flowing naturally and without pause.

The Crisis and Turning Point of Karma

The existence of the self is the greatest obstacle in your practice. Because there is a self, there is a physical body, and because there is a body, there is the operation of karma. This is why we encounter interference from karmic creditors who come to seek revenge and repay grievances. These obstacles can make your practice difficult, yet they also provide a unique opportunity. If you can face these challenges and overcome them, you will find that these moments of crisis are actually your greatest turning points for progress.

The Two-Power Method

At the same time, you must skilfully utilise the two-power method: the combination of your own self-power arises and the Buddha's blessings. Your daily practice should consist of the following:

• Chanting Namo Amituofo
• Performing prostrations
• Reciting the Sutras

These are the most fundamental and powerful methods available to you. Among them, chanting Namo Amituofo is the most convenient, as it can be practised anytime, anywhere, and in any situation. It is not restricted by external conditions, making it the most efficient way to forget the self and eventually attain no-self.

Transforming the Nature of the Mind

When you chant Namo Amituofo under the support of the Buddha's blessings, your personality traits will gradually soften and refine. Through the continuous chanting of Buddha's name, you dissolve karma. This process allows you to change your personality traits, which in turn stops the interference from karmic creditors. Furthermore, this practice can improve or resolve situations where you feel drowsy or find it difficult to maintain control over your own mind and space. This is truly a wonderful remedy for progress in Pure Land practice and the fastest way to reach your near-term goals.

By maintaining the continuous chanting of Buddha's name, you will eventually reach the state of chanting one Buddha's name to the end. This is the most convenient and rapid path from the initial aspiration to Buddhahood.

Namo Amituofo