Overcoming the Obstacles of Affliction

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

During the noon offering of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on January 17, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided profound guidance on the nature of our spiritual obstacles.

The Light of Wisdom and the Shadow of Affliction

There is a fundamental truth in our practice: when your afflictions are light, your wisdom will naturally grow. Afflictions serve as the primary obstacles to your spiritual progress, while wisdom acts as the sharp instrument that can break through these barriers. It is essential to understand that the more we allow our greed, anger, and ignorance to cloud our minds, the more our innate wisdom remains hidden. By consciously working to reduce these afflictions, we create the space for our true nature to shine forth.

The Sword of Manjushri Bodhisattva

In the Buddhist tradition, Manjushri Bodhisattva is often depicted holding a sword. This is not a weapon of violence, but a symbol of the sword of wisdom. This sword has the power to sever the roots of our afflictions. This imagery serves as a teaching for us all: it represents the fact that wisdom has the capacity to cut through the entanglements of our deluded thoughts. However, to wield this sword effectively, one must possess great boldness and firm determination. Therefore, the process of breaking through these afflictions is a necessary stage that every practitioner must undergo on the path to becoming an awakened being.

Ascending the Levels of the Dharma Body

In the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, there exists the Land of Real Reward, which comprises forty-one distinct levels. These levels correspond to the stages attained by the great Bodhisattvas who have realised the Dharma Body. At each of these forty-one levels, a Bodhisattva breaks through one layer of ignorance and, in doing so, realises a portion of the Dharma Body. Ignorance is the most profound and subtle form of affliction. As one continues to break through these layers, one’s spiritual quality is continuously elevated.

The Ultimate Path to the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light

As a practitioner progresses through these stages, the Bodhisattva’s level of attainment rises step by step. When the final layer of ignorance is broken by the Equal-Enlightenment Bodhisattva, they enter the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light. We can understand from this that the Buddhas residing in the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light have completely exhausted all ignorance and afflictions. They are entirely free from the burdens that once hindered their progress. This illustrates why our primary focus in practice must be the reduction and eventual elimination of our afflictions.

You should use the gradual reduction of your afflictions and the corresponding growth of your wisdom as a mirror for self-reflection. The most effective method to achieve this is to chant Namo Amituofo all the way. From the initial aspiration to Buddhahood, this single practice is sufficient to break through the obstacles of affliction. My children, you must learn how to chant with sincerity and how to make the best use of the Buddha-name in your daily life. By relying on this practice, you will surely find your way home to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo