Being with the Buddha: Teachings of Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

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

21 April 2023

To be with the Buddha is the highest aspiration of every practitioner. It is a state of constant alignment with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, leading us toward ultimate liberation. But what does it truly mean to walk alongside the Buddha in our daily lives?

The Embodiment of Truth

The Buddha is the Great Awakened One. He is the ultimate practitioner and the living embodiment of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. To be with the Buddha, you must also become a follower of these same sacred principles. You must strive to remain by the Buddha's side, ensuring that your thoughts, words, and actions are never separated from his presence, not even for a single moment.

Cultivating Infinite Qualities

When you remain in the presence of the Buddha, you are invited to learn from his boundless qualities:

• Infinite Compassion:
• Developing a heart that embraces all beings without exception.Wisdom as Vast as the Ocean:
• Seeing through the illusions of the world to understand the true nature of reality.Boundless Merit:
• Accumulating the positive energy that arises from selfless service.Great Spiritual Power: Harnessing the strength required to overcome the obstacles of the cycle of rebirth.

The Shield of the Buddha-name

To be with the Buddha, your heart and your mouth must be in perfect harmony. You must chant Namo Amituofo 24/7, never letting the sacred name leave your lips or your heart. Through this constant practice, you engage in the Purifying the body, heart, and spirit. As you receive the Buddha's blessing, your inner light will shine, and your energy will be transformed into a source of purity and clarity.

The Power of No-Mind

One of the most profound lessons is to learn the Buddha's state of no-mind. When you reach this state of profound stillness, you become elusive to the forces of negativity. Because you have no attachments or weaknesses for them to grasp, they cannot trigger your demon nature. They cannot harm you, and in this way, you naturally subdue all demonic enemies and karmic creditors.

Aligning with the Forty-eight Great Vows

To be with the Buddha is to align your heart with his heart, ensuring that every beat is dedicated to relieving the suffering of all beings. Your vows must become one with the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo. As you work to ensure that every one of these vows is fulfilled, you contribute to the establishment of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss right here in your own practice.

Walking the Path of Awakening

Finally, to be with the Buddha is to act as he acts. It is to manifest the Universal Buddha within the Dharma Realm, maintaining a state of pure, equal, and correct awakening. By doing so, you are equipped to ferry all confused beings across the sea of suffering. Through the constant recitation of the Buddha-name, you ensure your own rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo