Teachings from Teacher Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
March 14, 2025, Third Session.
The Essence of Influential Beings
The term 'Influential Beings' refers to those who possess a profound and transformative impact on others. When such beings attend a assembly, their very presence inspires all who see them to cultivate a heart of deep respect and reverence for the gathering. Their presence is not merely a physical attendance; it is a spiritual manifestation that elevates the entire atmosphere of the assembly.
Historical Precedents of Great Assemblies
Consider the time when Shakyamuni Buddha was teaching in the world. During those great assemblies, many eminent Bodhisattvas would attend, such as Manjushri , Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and Maitreya Bodhisattva. These great beings were the 'Influential Beings' of that era. Their participation served as a clear sign that the teachings being delivered were intended for those with the capacity for the . It demonstrated that those who hear these teachings, follow them with faith, and put them into practice can truly attain Buddhahood.
The Living Presence of the Path
Today, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, Practitioner Su delivers teachings. He shares the 'Words of Namo Amituofo' and the teachings of the masters. Practitioner Su himself is an 'Influential Being' who has achieved and realised his true nature through faith and diligent practice.
The fourfold assembly of disciples who attend these sessions are also 'Influential Beings'. It is a rare and precious opportunity to enter the Buddha-land of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma. By being present, they validate the importance of this sacred environment.
Spiritual Realm Influences
Furthermore, the spiritual realm is also represented. The ancestral masters of the West, the holy assembly, and the venerable ones of the Western Pure Land—all of whom are Bodhisattvas of the stage of non-retrogression—participate in these assemblies. They are the 'Influential Beings' of the spiritual realm. Their presence signifies that the Dharma being taught at this moment is the supreme, ultimate path that enables beings to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Dual Role of Practitioner Su
Practitioner Su, as a speaker, acts as an 'Influential Being' in two distinct ways: First, he practises the Pure Land path in a human body, following the teachings with unwavering faith. He has made the vow to save all beings and lead them to the Western Pure Land. Through fierce and diligent practice, he has achieved Awakening, realised his true nature, and attained Buddhahood. He can freely travel to and from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, using his to perform , save sentient beings, and rescue even the demon crowds, guiding them into the Western Land of Dharma Nature.
Second, he embodies the 'Mind-only Pure Land', following the heart, vows, and actions of Namo Amituofo. By taking on the suffering of beings, he has moved Namo Amituofo to truly reside at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. This serves as a profound demonstration of how to invite the Buddha to remain in the world and how to request the turning of the Dharma wheel. Through his teachings and his work in Chao Du, he saves and receives beings, helping them leave suffering behind and be reborn in the Western Pure Land. In doing so, he teaches all later students how to invite Namo Amituofo to reside in this world.
The Responsibility of the Fourfold Assembly
If the fourfold assembly of disciples practises diligently and achieves success, eventually reaching the state of Awakening, they too will become powerful 'Influential Beings'. They will support Practitioner Su in his mission to teach and transform sentient beings. More importantly, they will be able to influence and save their own countless beings with karmic affinity, including their parents, teachers, , and family members from past and present lifetimes.
By becoming powerful 'Influential Beings' within the human world, they will inspire the public to have confidence in the Pure Land path. They will encourage others to make the vow to chant Namo Amituofo and, as they wish, be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.
