The Vital Importance of the Dharma Lineage

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

June 3, 2023.

The Lifeline of the Buddha's Teachings

When we speak of the Buddha's teachings, the transmission of the Dharma Lineage is of paramount importance. It is the very reason that the Buddha's teachings can continue to flourish and benefit sentient beings across generations. Think of the lineage as the veins of a leaf; just as the veins provide the structure and nourishment that allow the leaf to thrive and remain visible, the Dharma Lineage provides the clear, structured path that allows the truth to be seen and understood by all.

To understand the transmission of this lineage, one must have a clear and orderly grasp of its origins, its direction, and its purpose. A true Dharma Lineage is one that follows the True Teachings and the righteous path. Because it is aligned with the truth, it is naturally supported and protected by the Dragon and Heaven Dharma Protectors. This protection is vital, for it allows the lineage to withstand the resistance and obstacles posed by demonic beings, ensuring that the light of the Dharma is never extinguished and can be passed on to those who seek it.

The Qualities of a True Successor

Those who are entrusted with the responsibility of carrying this lineage forward must possess extraordinary qualities. They cannot be ordinary in their resolve; they must embody the following virtues:

• Great Strength:
• The inner fortitude to remain steadfast despite the challenges of the world.Expansive Mind-Capacity:
• A heart that is vast enough to embrace all beings without discrimination.Profound Compassion:
• A genuine, heartfelt desire to alleviate the suffering of others.Genuine Wisdom:
• The insight to perceive the truth of reality beyond the illusions of the material world.Total Selflessness: A commitment to the path that is entirely free from personal gain or ego.

One must truly dedicate their Body-Mind-Spirit to the service of all beings. If there is even a trace of selfishness, one cannot become an awakened being within the Pure Land. If one is burdened by personal desires, one cannot fully manifest the power of the Pure Buddha Land to receive and guide beings. It becomes difficult to act on behalf of the Buddha to describe the magnificent dignity of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss or to embody the spirit of the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo.

The Necessity of a Pure Heart

The reason for this is simple: any trace of selfishness is a form of impurity. When we are selfish, we are no longer in sync with the Buddha, who is entirely selfless and free from all stains. Consequently, we cannot transmit the purity of the Pure Land or the nature of the pure Dharma body to others. The greatest obstacle we face is the inability to chant Buddha's name with a truly pure heart. When the heart is cluttered with personal agendas, it becomes difficult to chant effectively, difficult to generate Bodhi, and difficult to remain focused on the single goal of rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

If our hearts are not in sync with the Buddha-heart, then awakening remains a distant hope, and rebirth in the Western Pure Land becomes difficult to achieve. Therefore, for the transmission of the Pure Land Dharma Lineage to be successful, it is essential that the successor be one who has realised their true nature and maintains a heart that is pure and free from all defilements. Let us strive to cultivate this purity, so that we may honour the lineage and help all beings leave suffering behind and find happiness.

Namo Amituofo