The Urgent Path of Saving Beings: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

September 16, 2022.

The Urgent Call to Awaken

Saving all beings is a matter of the utmost urgency. We must recognise that we are not separate from these beings; we are among them, drifting in the cycle of rebirth. Because you are one of these beings, saving yourself is a task that cannot be delayed for even a single moment. If you have not yet awakened and are not single-mindedly seeking the pure Dharma, you are, in every passing second, sinking deeper into the ocean of suffering.

To save others, one must first save oneself. By combining your own efforts with the Buddha's blessings, you create the perfect remedy for both self-salvation and the salvation of all beings. This is the most effective path to liberation.

The Foundation of Diligent Practice

To begin this journey, you must first change your personality traits. This is the most important step. Following this, you must engage in fiercely diligent practice through your daily lessons:

• Chanting Namo Amituofo: The core of our practice to maintain a focused mind.
• Performing prostrations: A humble way to purify the body and mind.
• Reciting the Sutras: To internalise the wisdom of the Buddhas.

The Threefold Path of Discipline, Concentration, and Wisdom

The Three Learnings of Precepts (Discipline), Concentration, and Wisdom must be put into practice with sincerity. You must hold to the Precepts, attain meditative concentration, and cultivate wisdom. Furthermore, you must listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma regularly. Only by understanding the principles and the path can you ensure that your actions are correct and aligned with the truth.

The Sacred Work of Healing and Purification

This path also involves the resolution of karmic conflicts, inviting spirits to hear the Dharma, and performing Chao Du to help them find peace. We must also focus on the purification of the spirit, which includes the practice of An Ling—inviting the three hun souls and seven po souls back to their rightful place.

Finally, purification is achieved through the four pillars of conduct: thinking good thoughts, seeing the good in all, speaking good words, and performing good deeds. This is the true method for the purification of the Body-Mind-Spirit. May you walk this path with unwavering faith.

Namo Amituofo