Relying on Yourself: The Path to Awakening

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

10 July 2022

When it comes to the path of spiritual practice, you must rely entirely upon yourself. This is a journey that no one else can undertake on your behalf. How could another person possibly change your personality or correct your faults for you? It is simply impossible. True repentance and the feeling of shame for one's past actions must arise from the depths of your own heart, with absolute sincerity and honesty. Who could ever perform this act of repentance for you? No one can.

The Necessity of Personal Responsibility

You must walk this path step by step, one footprint at a time. Diligent practice is something you must commit to yourself; who could ever perform your practice for you? Consider the most basic necessities of your daily life:

• Eating your meals
• Putting on your clothes
• Resting and sleeping
• Attending to your personal needs

You must do all of these things for yourself. No one can eat, dress, sleep, or attend to these daily tasks in your place. In the same way, the work of spiritual cultivation is entirely your own responsibility.

The Inner Work of Chanting and Purification

When you chant Namo Amituofo, you are the one who receives the benefit, and you are the one who must purify your own heart. To maintain a continuous, pure stream of mindfulness, you must be the one to do the chanting. Who could ever chant in your place? Similarly, when you perform prostrations to dissolve your spiritual obstacles, you are the one who must bow, the one who must repent, and the one who must purify yourself.

You must be the one to clear away your delusions and messy thoughts. Who could ever dissolve your karma or perform your prostrations for you? The strength of your meditative concentration and the effectiveness of your practice are entirely dependent on your own efforts. Who could ever acquire these skills on your behalf?

The Ultimate Goal of Awakening

Consider the profound process of purification:

• Purifying your body
• Purifying your heart
• Purifying your speech
• Purifying your spirit

To achieve a state of pure mindfulness, free from all defilements, you must be the one to do the work. Who could ever purify you to such a state of absolute clarity? Furthermore, when it comes to the ultimate goal of finding your true self and realising one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, who could ever find your true self for you, or attain Buddhahood in your stead? Everything depends on your own efforts.

You must be steadfast and walk firmly on this path, step by step. If you do this, you will naturally receive the Buddha's blessings, which will guide you to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood sooner. Namo Amituofo.