Facing Our Faults: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

During the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we received profound guidance from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. This teaching focuses on the vital necessity of facing our past faults with courage and sincerity, as recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

The Echoes of Past Transgressions

The karmic creditors who surround us today are not strangers. They are sentient beings from our past lives. Because of the faults we committed in those times—driven by our emotions and the Five Desires—we caused them immense suffering. Through the negative karma created by killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication, we inflicted harm upon their bodies, minds, and spirits. Today, the results of those actions have manifested, and we must face the suffering that follows.

The Chains of Resentment and Doubt

You must face these consequences directly. Do not harbour resentment. If you complain, you are merely adding fault upon fault, and suffering upon suffering. Furthermore, do not harbour doubt. To doubt the laws of karma and cause and effect is equivalent to slandering the Truth itself. Such doubt is a fault of the mind and a fault of the speech. It only serves to deepen your karmic burden and increase your suffering.

The Light of Gratitude and Guidance

Our faults arise from our body, our speech, and our intentions. When you are fortunate enough to receive guidance from a true spiritual friend or a virtuous teacher, you must recognise this as a precious opportunity to stop your faults. Do not allow yourself to continue creating negative causes and reaping bitter fruits. Instead, you should keep gratitude in your heart and thank them for their timely reminder.

The Path of Sincere Repentance

You must strictly avoid any trace of anger—whether in your thoughts, your expressions, your heart, your words, or your actions. Such anger is a manifestation of arrogance, which is itself a grave fault. If you are now aware of the faults you committed in the past, you must repent sincerely. Face these errors, change your ways, and resolve never to commit them again.