Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the twenty-fourth of January, 2025, during the Noon Offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided the following profound teachings regarding the Path of Propagating the .
The Ever-Evolving Journey of the Dharma Path
The path of propagating the Dharma is the sacred journey undertaken by those who dedicate their lives to spreading the Buddha’s teachings and the specific Dharma gate they uphold. It is a journey that carries the heavy responsibility of transmitting the wisdom of the Buddhas to future generations. In the past, this journey was often arduous and physically demanding. Practitioners would travel on foot, following the conditions of the time, place, and circumstances to bring the light of the Dharma to those in need. If they had to travel great distances, they would rely on simple boats or carts, crossing vast oceans, rivers, and mountains to reach their destination.
Today, the methods of travel have changed significantly. We now use modern vehicles and air travel to reach our destinations swiftly. However, while the physical mode of travel has evolved, the core mission remains unchanged. The essential method of propagation remains the delivery of lectures and the sharing of the Dharma. Through these teachings, we demonstrate the power of our chosen practice to help sentient beings find liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The Virtues of a Compassionate Propagator
For the Dharma Gate, the act of propagation requires more than just words. The propagator must embody specific qualities to be effective:
Virtue: One must possess a foundation of moral integrity that inspires trust in others.
: A deep, genuine desire to alleviate the suffering of all beings.
Wisdom: The insight to understand the nature of reality and the needs of those who seek the truth.
Skillful Practice: The ability to apply one's own meditative achievements to resolve the confusion and difficulties faced by the fourfold assembly and all sentient beings.
When a propagator possesses these qualities, they can truly guide others to have faith in the path and provide the support necessary for their spiritual growth.
The Resonant Power of the
The primary methods for propagating the Dharma in our current era include lectures and the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. These are not merely rituals; they are vital tools for spiritual deliverance. Through these ceremonies, we help those who hear the Dharma to resolve their daily doubts, strengthen their faith in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and continue their progress along the path of Faith, Vows, and Practice. This work benefits not only the practitioners present but also the human and heavenly realms.
Furthermore, through the merit and power of the ceremony, we perform to assist:
Our ancestors and teachers from countless past lives.
Our who seek balance for past grievances.
Our family members and loved ones.
Attached spirits who are lost and suffering.
By relying on the vows and the power of the ceremony, these beings are given the opportunity to leave the suffering of the evil realms behind, find a path to the good realms, or be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Sanctuary of the Bodhimanda
Within the bodhimanda, we maintain a structured environment for daily practice. This includes group cultivation sessions such as:
Prostrations to the Buddha.
Chanting Namo Amituofo.
Reciting the Sutras.
Participating in intensive Buddha-recitation retreats.
We are deeply grateful to those who offer their support by providing the space and the vegetarian meals necessary for practitioners to focus entirely on their cultivation without external disturbances. This support is a vital contribution to the longevity of the Buddha’s teachings.
To ensure that the Buddha’s teachings flow eternally, the journey of propagating the Dharma must never cease. As the holy name of Namo Amituofo is spread far and wide, all beings will eventually find the time and the conditions to be saved.
