The Path to Leaving Suffering Behind
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
15 August 2025
The Radiant Light of Moral Foundations
When we contemplate the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, we find that they manifest in our daily lives as the essential foundations of Ethics and Morality. The root of all suffering for sentient beings lies in the violation of these fundamental truths. When we act in ways that contradict the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, we ignore the moral foundations that govern our existence. This violation inevitably triggers the laws of and cause and effect, leading to the various forms of suffering we experience.
The Unseen Chains of Karmic Momentum
Throughout our countless lifetimes in the cycle of rebirth, our and the causes and effects have become deeply intertwined. We are often unaware of which specific karmic seeds will manifest in this current life. Because we lack the wisdom to perceive these hidden causes, we feel as though we have no choice and no autonomy over our circumstances. We simply drift along, following the momentum of our past karma.
Many beings are currently trapped in this cycle of suffering, desperately hoping to be saved and to leave suffering behind. However, there are still many others who are deeply immersed in suffering yet remain completely unaware of their predicament. They mistakenly believe that the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death is merely an unavoidable process of life. They do not realise that these experiences are the fruits of causes planted in previous lives, all governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect.
The Sacred Practice of Transformation
To truly change our destiny, we must understand the power of practice. We must learn how to chant Buddha's name until our unfamiliarity with the becomes familiar, and our familiarity with worldly attachments becomes unfamiliar. It is through this process that we can transform karma. Many people do not realise that by transforming their karma, they can effectively leave suffering behind.
Buddhist education is the essential tool that reveals these truths to us. It illuminates what we previously did not know, providing the fundamental method for liberation. By initiating this effort ourselves and relying on the Buddha's , we can adjust our hearts and minds. As our hearts change, our actions naturally follow, leading to the transformation of karma and the ability to leave suffering behind.
Returning to the Purity of Our Original Nature
The purpose of our practice is to help us recognise the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, as well as the true reality of the universe. Through the process of adjusting our hearts and calming our thoughts, practitioners can gradually leave suffering behind. We no longer allow ourselves to be pulled by the force of into states of misery from which it is difficult to escape.
The suffering we experience today is a sign that our original nature has been obscured. Our pure nature is being blocked by defilements and pollution. Therefore, the goal of our practice is to remove these defilements and attain purity, thereby rediscovering our original nature. This is the very process of leaving suffering behind.
The Infinite Grace of Namo Amituofo
When observed that sentient beings were suffering and unable to leave suffering behind through their own power, he made his Forty-eight Great Vows. He established the of Ultimate Bliss specifically to lead sentient beings in the ten directions and the Dharma realms into his pure land. By reaching this realm, beings can finally leave suffering behind and gain happiness. Furthermore, in this glorious land, they can continue their practice to attain Buddhahood, which is the ultimate form of leaving suffering behind. This is the true purpose behind the establishment of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and it represents the supreme grace of Namo Amituofo toward all sentient beings.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library