The Compassionate Heart

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

7 June 2024, Third Session

The Essence of Compassion

The term Compassionate Heart refers to a heart filled with both loving-kindness and deep, profound empathy for the suffering of others. My dear children, I ask you today: does this Compassionate Heart truly reside within you? Are you truly engaged in diligent practice, striving with all your heart to become an awakened being? And more importantly, is your practice backed by the strength of your actions?

If your diligent practice is lacking and your actions are weak, the possibility of becoming an awakened being remains out of reach. If you cannot even save yourself, how can you speak of having a truly compassionate heart for others? How can you hope to save yourself, let alone possess the capacity to save other beings?

The Strength of Diligent Practice

Therefore, you must understand that one who is truly compassionate is one who acts with strength. They move forward with diligent practice, striving to become an awakened being, and they do not dare to let a single second pass in idleness. Those who understand the suffering of beings and work to save them from that pain are like a beacon in the dark. The colder the world becomes, the more diligent they become in their practice. This is because they know that in the bitter winter of samsara, all beings are suffering even more intensely.

Avoiding the Traps of Karma

The more you are tested by life, the more cautious and careful you must be. Do not be deceived by the traps of your own karma. Do not allow yourself to be led astray by your karmic creditors, losing the ability to be the master of your own mind. You must realise that if you are careless and commit errors, you create negative causes. These will inevitably lead to the evil consequences of karmic retribution. This will only push you further away from becoming an awakened being. Furthermore, the sentient beings with whom you have a karmic affinity will lose their chance for salvation, and they will continue to suffer. This is not the path of a compassionate person.

Purification and the True Self

The manifestation of a Compassionate Heart lies in the process of purification. The more you purify your body, mind, and spirit, the more clearly your Compassionate Heart and your diligent practice will shine through. This is because purification brings you into sync with your true self, and the Compassionate Heart is something that is inherently present within your true self from the very beginning. Everything will unfold naturally. You will naturally see the truth, and you will naturally act with compassion.

Namo Amituofo