The Path of Only Beings: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Great Vow of Mahayana

The great direction of Mahayana Buddhism is the salvation of all sentient beings. However, one must first achieve success in one's own practice to possess the true capacity to save others. You must realise that you are also a sentient being, and your physical body serves as a vessel for countless other beings. Throughout the long cycle of rebirth, every one of these beings has shared a relationship of karmic conditions and the causes and effects with you. They have been connected to you since beginningless time.

The process of achieving success in your practice is, in essence, the process of saving the countless beings residing within your own body. Because these beings and your own self are one entity, existing together within this physical form, your journey is shared. When you make a sincere vow to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and leave behind the suffering of the cycle of rebirth, you must also invite the beings within your body to join you. You must wish for them to leave the cycle of rebirth, to be free from all suffering, and to receive only happiness.

The Sanctuary of Namo Amituofo

This magnificent opportunity is made possible at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Because Namo Amituofo truly abides here, you, the beings within your body, the beings outside of you, and all sentient beings throughout the worldly realm and other directions have the chance to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo is always ready to emit light, receiving beings and leading them to rebirth or into the Western Land of Dharma Nature.

The Path to Awakening

This supreme opportunity is found in many aspects of our daily practice:

• It is present in the sound of the Buddha-name during the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies.
• It is present in the constant resolution of conflicts, the invitation of spirits, and the spiritual deliverance through Chao Du performed at the temple.
• It is present whenever the fourfold assembly of disciples chants the name of Namo Amituofo, performs prostrations, or recites the Sutras.
• It is present in the diligent practice of our daily morning service.

The practice of the Pure Land path in Mahayana Buddhism is a vow that both you and all beings may be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This includes the countless beings within your body and the infinite beings with karmic affinity outside of you.

The Selfless State of Only Beings

All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas exist in the state of Only Beings; they have no self. Those who have reached Awakening also exist in this state of Only Beings; they have no self. For the fourfold assembly of disciples currently practising at the temple, the goal is to embody this same spirit. If you can truly exist as Only Beings, letting go of the self and forgetting the self, you will find that the past and future cease to exist. There is only the present moment, and in that moment, you chant Namo Amituofo all the way. By combining this with diligent prostrations, you will be able to remain in sync with your true self and realise your original nature at an early date.

Namo Amituofo