Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the ninth of November, 2024, during the second session of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound insights.
The Transcendent Nature of the Buddha
A Buddha is one who has fully awakened and transcended the ten directions. Such a being is no longer bound by the heavy chains of , nor are they subject to the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Within the heart of a Buddha, there is no trace of the —Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt—nor is there any craving for the of wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
The Buddha-heart is perfectly equal and impartial. A Buddha sees every being as a Buddha, without making distinctions between high or low, good or bad. However, because beings are obscured by karma and confusion, they perceive differences in levels of . This leads them to deviate from the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, thereby creating various forms of suffering for themselves.
The Illusion of
Buddhist education reveals the very source of our suffering. We are often unable to break free from the control of our own karma, personality, and deep-seated habits. Consequently, the teachings guide us to stop creating negative causes and to cultivate goodness, ultimately helping us to rediscover our true self and our inherent Buddha-nature.
The standard for determining whether an action is good or evil lies in whether it aligns with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. If we act in violation of these, we will inevitably reap evil consequences and experience suffering. Conversely, if we act in harmony with them, we will harvest good fruit and find true happiness.
Awakening to the Eternal True Nature
In this age of the ’s decline, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between good and evil. Fewer and fewer people are able to attain a pure heart, see the truth of reality, or realise their true nature and attain Buddhahood. Instead, the of the "self" has become inflated. People live entirely within the world of "me," prioritising their own desires above all else. They do not realise that this physical body is merely a composite of karmic causes and effects—a false self that exists only within the realm of impermanence.
Where there is a sense of "I," there is selfishness. Where there is selfishness, there is karma. As long as we cling to this false self, it is difficult to escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, or the suffering of the six realms of rebirth. The true self is our Buddha-nature, which is eternal, unchanging, and ever-present within every single being.
When our hearts and actions are in sync with this true nature, we are walking the path of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Those who have realised their true nature are the true practitioners and followers of this path.
The Path of Virtuous Conduct
To walk this path, we must align our lives with virtuous conduct. This includes:
Generosity: Giving of oneself and one's resources without attachment.
Discipline: Maintaining pure conduct and upholding the .
Patience: Enduring hardship and remaining calm in the face of adversity.
Diligent Practice: Persisting in one's spiritual work without flagging.
Meditation: Cultivating a focused and still mind.
Wisdom: Developing the clear insight to see reality as it is.
The Five Precepts and Ten Good Deeds: These are the foundational practices that align us with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
The Six Perfections: These are the essential practices for a practitioner:
Virtuous Qualities: Cultivating , , the ability to let go, and gratitude, all of which are in harmony with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
The Supreme Shortcut to Buddhahood
Chanting the Buddha's name is the cause, and attaining Buddhahood is the fruit. Namo Amituofo, in His great compassion, has gathered all these virtues—the Five Precepts, the Ten Good Deeds, the Six Perfections, and all other noble qualities—into the six-character name of Namo Amituofo. This name contains the entire Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
It is the ultimate cause for attaining Buddhahood through Buddha recitation. You must hold firmly to this Buddha-name and never let go. If you can maintain this practice 24/7, keeping the Buddha-name in your heart without interruption, you will find the most magnificent shortcut to rebirth in the , where you will realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood. This practice of chanting the Buddha's name is truly a magnificent and supreme Dharma.
