Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
The Foundation of
Compassion is not merely a virtue; it is the essential condition that every practitioner must possess to make genuine progress on the path. When one truly embodies compassion, one perceives the suffering of all beings with clarity. This perception naturally gives rise to a profound, universal aspiration: to help all beings leave suffering behind and gain happiness.
If you observe a newborn infant or a young child, you can clearly see the purity of their true self, which is inherently kind and compassionate. However, as one grows older, the environment begins to exert a powerful influence on the heart and character. If this innate goodness and compassion are not nurtured, affirmed, and actively developed, they are often neglected. Over time, these qualities fade into the background, allowing the ego to take centre stage. This leads to a life driven by self-interest, which only serves to perpetuate the cycle of being reincarnated.
The Erosion of Our True Self
Compassion is an inherent quality of your true self. Yet, because your true self is currently obscured by layers of delusion, your Six Roots are constantly reaching outward toward the external world. In this state of distraction, you lose touch with the inherent goodness, compassion, and Wisdom (Prajna) that are your birthright. Instead, you find yourself replaced by:
Unwholesome tendencies: Actions that create negative .
Selfishness: A narrow focus that prioritises the ego over the welfare of others.
Ignorance: A lack of understanding regarding the true nature of reality.
As a result, you suffer deeply and drift further away from the path of Goodness.
The Two-Fold Path to Transformation
For those who still possess a seed of goodness, compassion can be easily awakened. However, if your heart is heavily obstructed by the weight of past karma, relying solely on your own strength is often insufficient to overcome these deep-seated patterns. This is why the path is so precious. It is a two-fold door that combines two essential forces:
arises: Your own sincere and diligent practice.
Buddha's : The immeasurable and boundless support provided by the power of Namo Amituofo.
Only through this combination can you truly engage in the work of purification and begin to transform karma. As you progress through this process of purification, the heavy influence of your karma begins to fade. Consequently, your true self—which has always been inherently kind and compassionate—begins to reveal itself once more.
The and the Vows of Namo Amituofo
A practitioner of the Great Vehicle does not seek personal liberation or comfort. Instead, they see the suffering of all beings and vow to achieve their own specifically to save others, helping them leave suffering behind and gain happiness. This is the heart and action required to achieve success on the path to Buddhahood.
Consider the Forty-eight Great Vows made by Namo Amituofo. Upon the fulfilment of these vows, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss was established. For ten kalpas, Namo Amituofo has been working tirelessly to save infinite suffering beings, guiding them into the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and helping them attain Buddhahood. This is the supreme grace that Namo Amituofo bestows upon all beings.
The Faith, Vows, and Practice demonstrated by Namo Amituofo are the true model for all of us. As juniors on this path, we must learn to emulate this spirit and put it into practice in our daily lives. Namo Amituofo.
