The Path of Purification
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
The Essence of Purification
Purification is the fundamental process of the path. It is the journey through which your body, mind, and spirit are cleansed, leading you toward the ultimate realisation of your true nature. As the ancient teachings remind us, when the heart is pure, the land is pure. By putting in the work to purify your heart, you simultaneously assist in the cleansing of your Six Roots:
- Eyes: To see the world through the lens of rather than attachment.
- Ears: To listen to the and turn away from the noise of worldly distractions.
- Nose: To remain unswayed by the fleeting scents of desire.
- Tongue: To speak only words of truth and kindness.
- Body: To maintain a vessel that is conducive to practice and free from the weight of past transgressions.
- Mind: To clear away the clouds of ignorance and reveal the inherent wisdom within.
Furthermore, this practice ensures that your spirit—the three hun souls and seven po souls—remains stable and focused. Without this stability, the spirit may easily scatter or fall into a state of , drifting into other spaces and losing its connection to the present moment.
The Power of Sincere Vows
Chanting Namo Amituofo is the most direct path to liberation. When you chant with a heart that is sincere, earnest, and filled with the vow to seek rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, you will receive the profound support of the Buddha's . This vow is the most important goal for any practitioner of the Pure Land path. The entire process of your practice is, in essence, the process of purifying your body, mind, and spirit. This is a vital truth that every practitioner must understand.
Daily Practice and Spiritual Growth
The achievement of your chanting skills is the area where you must truly put in the work. To maintain and enhance the purity of your body, mind, and spirit, you should integrate the following into your daily practice:
- Prostrations: Bowing to the Buddha to cultivate humility and dissolve the ego.
- Reciting the Sutras: Engaging with the sacred texts to deepen your understanding of the Truth.
- Chanting Namo Amituofo: Keeping the name of the Buddha at the forefront of your mind at all times.
This is the harmonious combination of your own self-effort and the infinite power of the Buddha.
Resolving Conflicts and Finding Peace
To listen to sutras and hear the Dharma and working to change your personality traits are the most important factors in whether your will be willing to resolve their conflicts with you. Resolving conflicts with karmic creditors through mediation and spiritual deliverance are all indispensable methods of purification. Once you have achieved this level of purification, the capabilities of your Six Roots will naturally manifest, and the space around you will open up. By letting go of selfishness and the illusion of a separate self, you will meet the necessary conditions to become a practitioner capable of spiritual healing and mediating for others.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library