Awakening the Heart and Living a New Life: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The summer afternoon is filled with the incessant song of cicadas, yet beneath the shade of the trees, a gentle breeze offers a moment of respite. Within the hall, the atmosphere is transformed by the sound of sutra recitation, performed with the utmost reverence and sincerity. In such a world of constant movement, one might ask: where can we truly find the path back to our original home?

The Quietude of the Heart

The answer lies not in the external world, but within the heart itself. It is here that we find true peace and stillness. All the teachings of the Buddha are not separate from our own nature; they are to be realised and understood within the depths of our own hearts. When we look inward, we discover that the path home has always been waiting for us.

Blooming Amidst the Mud

Consider the lotus flower blooming in the pond. Even though it grows from the mud, it remains unstained, radiating a brilliant light. This is the nature of our practice. We live in a world of defilement, yet we can cultivate a heart that is pure and luminous. Like the lotus, we can rise above the conditions of our environment to manifest the light of our true nature.

Just as the rice stalks grow densely in the fields during a season of abundance, our diligent practice leads to a bountiful harvest of wisdom. The work of cultivation is not always easy; it requires effort, like the farmer who works until sweat falls like rain. Yet, when the harvest is complete, the heart is filled with a profound and open joy. This is the freedom that comes from a heart illuminated by the Buddha’s teachings.

Guided by the Compassionate Father

The Pure Land is the supreme realm of purity. When we chant the Buddha-name, we are led directly to the presence of the Buddha. Namo Amituofo, our compassionate Father, is always by our side, protecting and guiding us. During this Dharma assembly, the one who leads the ceremony acts as a beacon, helping infinite beings leave the cycle of suffering behind and find their way to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Let us cherish this opportunity to practise, for the path to awakening is open to all who sincerely seek it.

This message was recorded by the Buddha’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, serving as the chief writer.