Ego-Attachment, Subjectivity, and Personality Traits are All Karma

Teacher: Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

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

August 4, 2024, Third Session

Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju teaches:

People in this world often mistake ego-attachment, subjectivity, and personality traits for unique personal characteristics. In truth, these are all karma. As we are reincarnated through the cycle of existence, we continue to accumulate more karma, and the cause and effect (Karma) of good and evil never ceases.

The Echoes of Past Karma

Before attaining the state of an awakened being, we have been reincarnated since time immemorial. The Body, Speech, and Mind karma created by our ego-attachment, subjectivity, and personality traits have caused us to suffer the pain of birth, aging, sickness, death, and the suffering of being unable to take charge. We have wandered between the three good and three evil realms, receiving retribution in this world and others. All of this is recorded in the Alaya consciousness, following our spirit throughout our many lives. We live entirely within the framework of karmic conditions and the causes and effects. This is the absolute truth.

The Path to Eternal Peace

In this life, you have encountered the magnificent Dharma at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. You have come to realise that all worldly phenomena are illusions, and only by finding your true self can you uncover the truth. Thus, you must engage in True Cultivation: let go of ego-attachment, abandon subjectivity, and change personality traits. Only by achieving no-self, selflessness, and the absence of rigid personality traits can you recover your pure body and find the peace of a mind that is free from all burdens.

When your heart is empty and free from all attachments, you will naturally feel the urgency to save the world and save beings. Keep the holy name of Namo Amituofo in your heart 24/7. Becoming an awakened being is a natural process, and the ability to return to the Western Pure Land is a matter of your skills. That you can accomplish this at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is due to the presence of Amitabha as our teacher and the guidance of Practitioner Su. By following the Buddha to save yourself and save others, and finally returning back to the Western Pure Land, you are performing the most magnificent practice of your life.

Namo Amituofo