Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the twenty-second of February, 2025, during the midday offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings on the nature of faith and practice.
The Vitality of Hearing the
Developing true faith after one has attained a clear understanding is the current state for many Buddhist practitioners. This is why the act of listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma is of such profound importance. Whether you are a newcomer just beginning your journey or a seasoned practitioner who has walked this path for many years, this practice remains essential. It is through the words of those who teach the Dharma that you can hear precious experiences and receive the guidance necessary to navigate your own spiritual development.
The for Rebirth
Faith, Vows, and Practice are the Three Provisions required for rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss. For those who truly desire to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, the depth of your vow is paramount. If your vow is deep and sincere, you will naturally chant the name of Namo Amituofo from the beginning to the end of your practice without distraction. This is the practical application of the vows you have made. Through this consistent chanting, you will undergo a process of purification. Once this purification occurs, you will naturally come to understand the profound meanings within the sutras and experience moments of genuine . This is the inconceivable power of the Buddha-name and the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo.
Aligning with the Forty-eight Great Vows
The Pure Land path is defined by the strength of one's vows. For the past ten kalpas, the Forty-eight Great Vows of Namo Amituofo have saved immeasurable and boundless sentient beings in the Ten Directions (of the Dharma Realm), guiding them to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If Namo Amituofo had not made these vows in the beginning, the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss would not have been established. Today, as practitioners of the Pure Land path, we follow in the footsteps of Namo Amituofo. When we make our own vows to chant the Buddha-name and seek rebirth in the West, we are aligning our intentions with the of the Forty-eight Great Vows. By living according to these vows, we create the opportunity to see our wishes fulfilled. If you do not make such a vow, you are like a traveller wandering in a thick fog, lacking the clear direction needed to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Clearing the Path of Obstacles
If you find that your practice is lacking or that you are not gaining the strength you need, you must adjust your course immediately. The depth of your vow directly influences the power of your practice. If you listen to the Dharma but fail to grasp its true meaning, or if you interpret it through your own limited perspective, your vow will remain shallow. This can even leave you vulnerable to the interference of demons or the influence of . If you allow these disturbances to persist, your practice will not only fail to progress but may even begin to regress. You must turn back to the right path with urgency. By doing so, you ensure that demon crowds and karmic creditors have no opportunity or space to cause you to become drowsy, to enter your personal space, or to leave you stagnant in your current state. Life is limited and precious. Once you have attained understanding and developed true faith, you must act upon your vows without delay.
