The Path of No-Self: Bumpy or Smooth?

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

During the noon offering of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on March 23, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound insights on the nature of our spiritual journey.

The Crossroads of the Heart

Whether the path of your practice is filled with obstacles or flows smoothly depends entirely upon the state of your heart. When your heart is compliant and free from the illusion of self, your journey becomes smooth and unobstructed. Conversely, when your heart is anchored in the ego—when you insist on the existence of an "I"—you will inevitably encounter the rocky, uneven terrain of suffering. This is the fundamental difference between the state of having a self and the state of no-self.

The Boundless Horizon of No-Self

When you are attached to the self, you feel the weight of karmic creditors seeking you out, leading to endless suffering. However, when you embrace the state of no-self, you find true liberation. Consider the difference in how one approaches the world:

• The Ego-Driven Path: You insist on going East, or you demand that everything conforms to your personal desires. Because you are attached to your own will, your karma manifests as resistance and hardship. You are controlled by your past actions and the needs of others, unable to find true autonomy.
• The Path of No-Self: You have no fixed destination. You go wherever beings are waiting to be saved. Because you have no personal agenda, you follow the wishes of all beings. They sense your compliance and, in return, help you navigate every challenge with ease.

Dancing with the Flow of Existence

Many practitioners struggle because they wish to control their daily lives—their food, clothing, housing, and travel—according to their own rigid schedules. When reality fails to meet these expectations, they suffer. In contrast, the practitioner who has realised no-self follows the natural flow of circumstances. They observe the rules, follow the path to the very end, and maintain a joyful, smiling countenance regardless of the situation.

The Vow to Deliver All Beings

You may know that beings are suffering, yet you might be tempted to simply maintain your current state of practice. This is not enough. To truly walk the path of no-self, you must engage in diligent practice:

• Chanting Namo Amituofo: Focus entirely on the Buddha-name, letting go of the past and the future.
• Spiritual Deliverance: Engage in constant Chao Du and spiritual deliverance, for we must invite Namo Amituofo to truly abide at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
• Urgency: Only by having the Buddha present can we effectively save the beings in the spirit realms and the people of this world. Therefore, you must be proactive, making every single day count as two.

If you still feel the presence of the ego, you must strive even harder. Practise prostrations, recite the Sutras, and chant one Buddha's name to the end. I encourage you to emulate this active, selfless spirit in all that you do.

Namo Amituofo