The Path to Purification of the Six Roots

The Essence of Inner Purification

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe. On the twelfth of December, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these essential teachings during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. The purification of the Six Roots refers to the cleansing of our six sense organs. This is a vital skill that requires us to turn our attention inward, engaging in deep reflection and continuous purification of our inner state.

The Wisdom of Restraint

Confucius once taught that one should not look at what is improper, listen to what is improper, speak what is improper, or move in an improper way. This ancient wisdom serves as a foundational method for maintaining the purity of our physical form. However, the Buddha’s teachings take this understanding much further. When our six sense organs interact with the Six Dusts, they give rise to the six consciousnesses. If these interactions stir our consciousness, it is a sign that our past karma is manifesting. If we are not careful, we will easily create new negative karma in the process.

The Practice of an Unmoved Mind

Whether it is good karma or negative karma, both are forms of karma. They arise because of the fluctuations within our minds, and they are considered forms of impurity. To cease the creation of karma, we must apply the following practices:

• For the eyes: Do not look at what is improper. If you do see something, keep your heart unmoved and do not let the image enter your consciousness. By doing this, you create no cause, and therefore no karma can manifest. This is the skill of having the eyes move while the heart remains unmoved.
• For the ears: Do not listen to what is improper. If you do hear something, keep your heart unmoved and do not let the sound enter your consciousness. This is the skill of having the ears move while the heart remains unmoved.
• For the tongue: Do not speak what is improper. If you find yourself speaking wrongly, you must immediately repent and stop your speech. By stopping the words from entering your consciousness, you prevent the creation of negative causes and avoid suffering the evil consequences.
• For the body: Do not move in an improper way. If you do act wrongly, you must immediately repent and cease your actions. This prevents the action from entering your consciousness, thereby stopping the creation of negative causes and the subsequent suffering of evil consequences.

Returning to the True Self

If you truly wish to achieve the purification of the Six Roots, it is of the utmost importance to hold firmly to the Buddha-name 24/7. By relying on the power of merit and the majestic power contained within the name of Namo Amituofo, you can purify the defilements of your Six Roots. As you continue this practice, you will find that your purity deepens and your goodness grows. When the Six Roots are finally purified, your original nature will naturally manifest, providing you with the precious opportunity to realise your true self. Namo Amituofo.