Transformation as the Path to Self-Salvation
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
During the first session of the on the eleventh of May, 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance on the necessity of personal transformation.
The Continuous Process of Refinement
In this world, if you wish to achieve true transformation, you must exert a great deal of effort. It is not a task that can be accomplished overnight, but rather a journey of persistent dedication. Practice is, in its essence, the very process of this transformation. It requires you to change, and then change again; to advance, and then advance further still. You must take the personal ego, selfishness, and deep-seated habits that are embedded within your and refine them until they are entirely removed. If you truly wish to realise your true nature in this lifetime, this process of purification is an absolute necessity.
The Urgency of the Present Moment
You have only this one life to make this journey. Within the process of transformation, you must clearly distinguish between the present moment and the future. The present moment is the most vital, for the future is uncertain. Your future will be shaped by the transformations you undertake right now. Therefore, if you wish to truly change, you must do so in the present moment to reap the greatest benefits. How, then, can you begin this transformation today?
The Art of Transmutation
Transformation is the act of replacing negative states of mind with positive, virtuous ones. Consider these essential shifts in your daily practice:
- From Anger to : Replace your anger with compassion. By thinking of others before yourself, you naturally reduce the roots of anger and create the space for genuine transformation.
- From Restlessness to Peace: Transform your inner agitation, anxiety, and lack of focus into a state of profound stillness, serenity, and meditative concentration.
- From Attachment to Acceptance: Shift your focus from the gains and losses of the world to a state of following the conditions of life with a calm and accepting heart.
- From Poverty to Generosity: Transform the poverty of the spirit into the practice of giving, sharing your resources and kindness with all beings.
- From Arrogance to Humility: Replace your pride with a humble and modest attitude, recognising the value in others.
- From Subjectivity to Respect: Transform the habit of believing you are always right—and the commanding tone that often accompanies it—into a genuine respect for others, learning to listen to and accept their perspectives.
- From Resentment to Gratitude: Turn your of displeasure and unfairness into a heart of gratitude and acceptance. When you do this, a satisfied and harmonious smile will naturally appear on your face.
The Power of Chanting Namo Amituofo
When you reflect upon your thoughts, you may find that they are often driven by the ego: thinking of yourself, feeling for yourself, comparing yourself to others, or focusing on your own body, subjective views, and attachments. These are all expressions of selfishness; they are focused on rather than the collective good of all beings.
I invite you to chant Namo Amituofo. Use this diligent practice to replace your habitual, self-centred thinking. Through the power of the Buddha’s , you will find the opportunity to transform your mind into one that thinks of others and acts for the benefit of all. This is the moment of transformation, and it is the true path to self-salvation.
Namo Amituofo
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