The Wisdom of Avoiding Transgressions

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

On the twenty-ninth of October, 2023, during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings for all practitioners seeking to refine their conduct and deepen their spiritual journey.

The Wisdom of Restraint

You must be vigilant in your daily life. If an action is likely to cause a transgression or inflict harm upon others, you must not do it. Furthermore, if an action is likely to cause your own heart or the hearts of others to become unsettled or anxious, you must refrain from it entirely. True practice begins with the discipline of the body, speech, and mind, ensuring that we do not sow the seeds of future suffering.

Do not be tempted by the fleeting pleasure of a moment. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by temporary desires that lead to a loss of self-control. When you fail to restrain yourself, you violate the Precepts. Whether this violation manifests through words, actions, or even just the arising of a negative thought, the damage is already done. You have planted a negative cause; when the conditions mature, you will inevitably reap the evil consequences.

The Inevitable Cycle of Karma

Whether the retribution arrives in this present life or a future one, the suffering will be immense. It is truly not worth the price of a momentary indulgence. You must understand that every action has a reaction, and the weight of our past deeds shapes our current reality. If we continue to act without mindfulness, we remain trapped in the cycle of being reincarnated.

Cultivating Lotus-like Speech and Action

Instead of allowing negativity to take root, you should strive to let your mouth bloom with lotus-like speech. Speak kind words and use your voice to offer words that are truly helpful to all beings. Your actions should be directed toward benefiting others, and your thoughts should be focused on how you can bring peace and relief to those around you.

If an action can assist beings in their purification and help them avoid the rise of afflictions, then it is an action worth taking. Conversely, if an action leads to the pollution of the mind or triggers further afflictions in others, you must stop immediately. By choosing to act only in ways that promote goodness, you align yourself with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Path of Repentance and Awakening

If you have already committed a transgression, you must sincerely repent from the bottom of your heart. You must resolve to stop the error and ensure that you do not repeat it. You must understand that this transgression is also a form of karma; the act of committing the error is the manifestation of that karma. If you continue to repeat the same mistakes, you will continue to suffer the consequences of your actions.

In your practice, you must uphold the Precepts. To avoid committing transgressions is the mark of true wisdom. If you have already erred and created a negative cause, you must repent and vow never to repeat it. By maintaining this vigilance and sincerity, you clear the path toward your ultimate goal: rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.