On the twenty-third of May, 2025, during the first session of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound guidance on the nature of the Constant Heart. This teaching serves as a beacon for all practitioners navigating the complexities of the modern world.
The Radiant Essence of the Constant Heart
The Constant Heart is a state of being that remains perpetually cool, free from the heat of afflictions, and devoid of fear. It is a state of complete satisfaction, where one feels no lack, dwelling instead in a realm of , purity, and clarity. This heart does not waver, regardless of the external circumstances or the shifting tides of the world around us. It is the heart of an awakened being—the very original nature of our existence, the treasury of light that constitutes our true self.
Maintaining Stillness Amidst the Shifting Sands
In this world of impermanence, where human hearts and external conditions are in constant flux, one might ask: how can we possibly maintain such a Constant Heart? If this heart has already manifested within you, you will naturally possess the meditative concentration required to face any person, object, or situation with . However, if your heart and body have become layered with the filth of past actions, how can you reveal the light of this Constant Heart? The answer lies in the diligent practice of removing defilements and attaining purity. This is the most vital path for any practitioner.
Navigating the Age of the ’s Decline
We currently live in the age of the Dharma’s decline. During this time, it is difficult to hear the True Teachings and even more difficult to encounter the pure path of the . Many people chant the name of , yet very few successfully achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Why is this the case? The problem lies in a fundamental misunderstanding of the original heart of Namo Amituofo. His heart is entirely dedicated to saving countless suffering beings. To assist all beings in leaving suffering behind and achieving rebirth, Namo Amituofo fulfilled his Forty-eight Great Vows and established the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, creating a sanctuary to help us rediscover our true self and Buddha-nature.
The Sacred Path to Rebirth
To successfully reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, one must align their own heart with the heart of Namo Amituofo. This requires a commitment to the following principles:
Arouse the mind and single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo: This is the foundation of your practice.
Stop evil and turn toward Goodness: You must cease the creation of new negative .
Maintain consistency: If you chant the Buddha's name while simultaneously creating new negative karma, you cannot remove your defilements.
Without these steps, it is difficult to be in sync with the heart of Namo Amituofo, and thus, carrying your karma to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss becomes an impossible task. If one fails to arouse the Bodhi mind and fails to single-mindedly recite Namo Amituofo, how can there be any hope for rebirth? This is the primary reason why so many people today chant the Buddha's name but struggle to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Call to
The Constant Heart is something you will truly see and realise only through diligent practice and Awakening. It is the original heart that allows you to save yourself and, in turn, save others. It is our sincere hope that all beings can rediscover this heart as soon as possible, and by following the vows of Namo Amituofo, successfully achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
