Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
27 December 2025
The Restless Nature of the Ordinary Mind
The heart of an ordinary person is like a kaleidoscope of many colours, constantly shifting and changing. We are perpetually bombarded by the world around us. Our eyes are fixed on endless sights, our ears are filled with constant sounds, and our bodies are always engaged in various movements. Most significantly, our thoughts follow one another in an unbroken, chaotic stream.
Our hearts and our —the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—are not restricted by the boundaries of time or space. Because we are constantly reaching outward, grasping at external phenomena, our minds never find a moment of true rest. This constant outward grasping is what we call a defiled body and mind. It is a state of being lost in the illusions of the world, unable to return to our original, pure nature.
The Path of Diligent Purification
For the practitioner of the path, the way forward is through diligent practice. We must focus our energy on the essential daily lessons that nourish our spiritual growth: performing prostrations to humble the ego, chanting the name of Namo Amituofo to anchor the mind in purity, and reciting the Sutras to absorb the wisdom of the Buddha. By listening to the , we learn about the infinite of Namo Amituofo and the beauty of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
By engaging in these practices, we come to understand the laws of and cause and effect. When we sincerely vow to be reborn in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, a profound transformation occurs. Our , who have followed us through many lifetimes, also receive the benefits of the Dharma. They become willing to leave their suffering behind, accepting the resolution of past conflicts and the spiritual deliverance of .
Turning Inward to Still the Delusions
To truly progress, you must learn to turn your six sense organs inward. Do not allow the people, things, or environments you encounter to stir your mind and cause your dormant karma to manifest. When you chant the name of Namo Amituofo, let every sound be a barrier against the tide of delusions. Use the Buddha-name to stop the wild, wandering mind, the fires of anger, and all other karmic actions that keep you bound to the cycle of rebirth.
As you remove these defilements and attain purity, your heart will gradually become clear and bright. This is the sacred method of purification. It is not a complex intellectual exercise, but a simple, persistent return to the source of your own true nature.
The Achievement of
When your chanting reaches a state of true accomplishment, your heart becomes clear, bright, and unstained. Your six sense organs are no longer tainted by the external world of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, or thoughts. You dwell naturally in the state of , Concentration, and Wisdom. Your heart remains pure and unconditioned, yet it is flexible, cool, and filled with a profound sense of peace.
In this state, your spirit is no longer limited by the functions or desires of the physical body. You are free to move with ease, following the Universal Principles, Truth, and the Right Path without ever deviating. When your Body-Mind-Spirit are harmonised and unified, you are no longer turned by the environment; instead, you have the power to transform the environment itself.
To live according to the Buddha-heart and vows, and to engage in the work of saving beings, is the mark of a practitioner who has achieved success. This is the state of those who have reached Awakening. May you walk this path with sincerity, and may you always find your way back to the light of Namo Amituofo.
