Layers of Affliction and the Power of the Buddha-Name

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

During the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on 4 October 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound insights on the nature of our struggles and the path to liberation.

The Endless Layers of Affliction

Afflictions arise in endless, overlapping layers within our minds. They are persistent and difficult to quell. However, there is a singular, powerful remedy: the continuous and uninterrupted chanting of Namo Amituofo. Only by maintaining this steady stream of the Buddha-name can you effectively halt the rising tide of these afflictions.

Quieting the Wandering Mind

It is often difficult to stop the relentless flow of thoughts that occupy our minds. These thoughts manifest in various forms: good thoughts, which can still tether us to the cycle of rebirth; evil thoughts, which create negative karma and lead to suffering; and selfish thoughts, which are rooted in the ego and the concept of a separate self.

Every one of these thoughts contains a sense of 'I' or 'me,' which draws us deeper into the trap of conceptual thinking. To break free, you must replace these wandering thoughts with the sound of the Buddha-name. By chanting Namo Amituofo, you stop the cycle of aimless thinking and purify your heart.

Navigating the Unpredictable World and Karma

Worldly events are unpredictable, unfolding in layer upon layer of complexity. In such times, the reality of your current situation becomes clear. When you face these challenges, you should focus entirely on chanting Namo Amituofo. By doing so, you can find the inner peace needed to handle all other matters with a calm and steady heart.

Furthermore, karma often manifests in layers. When your past actions come to fruition, you may feel overwhelmed. However, if you hold firmly to Namo Amituofo, allowing the sound of the Buddha-name to flow continuously, you can resolve the weight of this karma within the very act of chanting.

Purifying the Six Roots

Our Six Roots—the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—are constantly being polluted by the external world, layer upon layer. To cleanse them, you must rely on the power of the Buddha-name. As you chant Namo Amituofo, the natural purity of your Six Roots will manifest. This is the essence of practising a pure life.

Saving Beings and Repaying the Buddha's Kindness

Beings suffer in endless layers, trapped by their own ignorance and past deeds. They can only be saved through the power of the Buddha. By performing Chao Du and inviting spirits to hear the teachings, you can resolve the grievances of past lifetimes. This is the only way to truly untangle the knots of ancient resentment.

The kindness of the Buddha is vast and difficult to repay. To honour this, you must apply yourself with greater diligence. Let every recitation of Namo Amituofo transform your ordinary, worldly heart. Practise with fierce diligence to repay the Buddha's grace. Soon, you will realise your true self and reveal the pure body that is your original, inherent nature. By reclaiming this true self, you will walk the supreme path, joining the Buddha in saving all beings and travelling together to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo