Severance

Teachings by the Teacher. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

11 July 2026

Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

The character 'Severance' represents a matter being divided into two parts, or one's interactions with others being divided into two parts or two sides.

Severance is so in the heart, and it is also so in one's actions, indicating that this matter will no longer continue, and this emotion will no longer have any connection; this is the state of severance.

Severing emotion and desire, severing greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt, severing the struggle for wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep, and severing the rights and wrongs of self and others.

One must understand that everything in the world is within the Dharma of Causal Conditions of arising and ceasing, which means it is illusory and transient. To grasp or cling to any being, any object, or any matter within it is suffering.

Those who truly desire to achieve success in their practice should have a heart that is empty of all things, bright and clear.

Those who can attain this state will have a heart that is not stained by any emotion, any person, or any matter, and the past, including thoughts and reflections, will no longer be touched upon.

Severance is boldness, it is determination, it is a firm practice of single-mindedly following the Way and seeking the Dharma; it is also a necessary process for success in practice.

The six realms of rebirth do not cease because there are people, matters, objects, and processes in the heart; this means that all existences have not yet been severed.

One must summon the determination to sever and let go, forge ahead courageously, and chant one Buddha's name to the end.

Only when both heart and action are severed can one obtain real results.

If one has severed in the heart but not in action, only those who have realised their true nature, whose hearts are not shaken by any external environment, can do so.

For those who have not realised their true nature, the heart follows the external environment and moves. If the heart is severed but the action is not, and this action is led and moved by the external environment, then the effect of 'severance' is weakened.

Manjushri Bodhisattva’s sword of Wisdom (Prajna) severs all roots of emotion and afflictions. One must sever; only by severing can one attain. This is the manifestation of Wisdom (Prajna), revealing the Wisdom (Prajna) of the Buddha.

Namo Amituofo