The Path of Forgetting the Self

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

During the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on the 27th of September, 2024, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these compassionate teachings to all practitioners.

The Call to True Selflessness

My dear children, have you ever truly forgotten yourself? Have you ever reached a state where your actions are no longer driven by the needs of the self, but are entirely dedicated to the benefit of all beings? If you can achieve this, you will find that you become a person entirely different from who you are today. This state is what we call true selflessness and the realisation of no-self.

When you truly let go of the self, you gain the remarkable ability to transcend the limitations of your physical existence. You can forget the suffering of the body and the pain of illness. You can move beyond the fluctuations of your emotions and the heavy burdens of the Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. You can finally release the grip of the Five Desires: wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.

The Ultimate Antidote to Suffering

In truth, the most effective method to sever the roots of the Five Desires and the five evils is simply to let go of the self and forget that the self exists. If you can manage this, it is a sign that your practice is making genuine progress. You must strive to maintain this state, ensuring that your focus does not waver or break.

You might wonder who benefits the most from this practice of selflessness. The answer is you. When you have truly let go of the self, your karmic creditors can no longer find you. Because you are no longer acting out of attachment or seeking to settle old scores, you will not be subject to the painful karmic retributions that follow such actions. Furthermore, this state of mind initiates a deep purification within your body, reaching even the countless cells that make up your physical form. By letting go of the self, you transform your body into a vessel of pure Goodness.

Replacing Habitual Thoughts with the Holy Name

If you can replace your habitual patterns of thinking with the constant recitation of the Buddha-name, you will find a new path forward. By replacing your usual behaviours with the act of chanting Namo Amituofo, you ensure that your heart is filled with nothing but the Buddha. This practice is powerful enough to break through the drowsy states of mind that often pull us into confusion and keep us trapped in the illusions of space.

When you forget the self, you will find that:

• There is no longer a sense of 'I' or 'my' to cause suffering.
• There is no longer a distinction between self and others, which eliminates all conflict and disputes.
• There is no longer any subjective attachment to cloud your judgement.
• There is no longer a preoccupation with the past, the present, or the future; there is only the clarity of the present moment.

Living in the Eternal Stream of the Buddha

When you forget the self, your heart becomes a sanctuary for the Buddha alone. You think only of the Buddha, and you act only for the sake of all beings. In this state, the disturbances of the world can no longer shake your inner peace. You will find that the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' is always with you. The chanting then becomes a continuous, flowing stream that never stops, 24/7. You will be in perfect harmony with the Buddha, sharing the same heart, the same vows, and the same path of practice.

Namo Amituofo