How to Conduct Oneself in Practice

recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

On the twenty-ninth of October, 2023, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following guidance on the conduct of a practitioner.

The Dignity of the Practitioner

The words, actions, and general demeanour of a practitioner must always be grounded in a sense of dignity and proper conduct. One must learn the art of knowing when to be active and when to be still, when to express oneself and when to remain silent. This is the essence of maintaining a balanced and disciplined life on the path to awakening.

The Flow of Dharma Affinity

When it comes to the Buddha’s teachings and the Pure Land path, one must be guided by the presence of Dharma affinity. If a being shows a genuine connection and a sincere desire to hear the truth, you should open your heart and share the teachings with them. However, if the conditions are not yet ripe and the being is not ready or willing to listen, you must know when to stop. There is no need to force words where they will not be received.

Mastering the Six Roots

The interaction between our six sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind) and the external six dusts is the primary source of our attachments. To protect your practice, you must exercise control over these six roots:

• Eyes:
• If you encounter sights that are not conducive to your practice, close your eyes or look away.Ears:
• If you hear sounds that disturb your peace, withdraw your attention and do not let them enter your mind.Nose:
• If you encounter scents that trigger desire or distraction, distance yourself from them.Tongue:
• If you are tempted by tastes that lead to indulgence, keep your mouth closed to such cravings.Body:
• If you find yourself in situations where physical contact or environments threaten your focus, you must distance yourself immediately.Mind: If unwholesome thoughts or ideas arise, you must stop them at once, or even cut them off entirely before they take root.

The Wisdom of Discernment

Your daily life is a constant series of choices that test your compassion and your Wisdom (Prajna). You must discern clearly:

• What is beneficial for other beings? You should do it.What can help others leave suffering behind and find happiness? You should speak of it, act upon it, and share it.What external six dusts will pollute your six roots? You must stay far away from them.

Whether to open or close, to draw near or to distance, to speak or to remain silent, to act or to refrain from acting, to cultivate a virtuous thought or to remain in a state of no-thought—these are the tests of your spiritual maturity.

The Gravity of Karma

You must uphold the Precepts and guard your Body, Speech, and Mind. Do not create karma lightly, for every action leaves a mark. If you violate these principles, you will inevitably suffer the consequences and reap the bitter fruits of your actions. You must be extremely cautious in all that you do. Namo Amituofo.