Letting Go and Holding On

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are reminded of the fundamental truths that govern our spiritual journey. Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers us a vital reflection on the nature of our attachments and the liberation that comes from releasing them.

The Cooling Power of Letting Go

Letting go is the source of endless serenity. It is a cooling breeze that calms the burning heart and brings peace to the spirit. Conversely, holding on is the root of endless sorrow and suffering. When we cling to the world, we bind ourselves to the cycle of rebirth, unable to find the stillness required for true Awakening.

What Must We Release?

You may ask, what exactly must we let go of? And what are we so desperately holding on to? To walk the path of the Buddha, we must be willing to release the following:

• The "self," personal ego, and selfishness that cloud our original nature.
• Our ego-attachment and the rigid, mistaken views we hold about the world.
• Our deep-seated emotional ties to family and loved ones.
• Our pursuit of fame, wealth, and worldly gain.
• Our obsession with the comforts and sensations of the physical body.

The Heavy Burden of Attachment

The world is an illusion, like a dream or a bubble. If you truly realise that this world is illusory, your heart will naturally let go. However, if you believe that the world is real, you will hold on to it tightly. You accumulate more and more, piling burden upon burden. How can your body and mind possibly bear such a heavy load? If you have not yet learned to let go, you are, by default, holding on.

The Trap of the Five Poisons

When we hold on, we are clinging to external appearances, our ingrained habits, and the pursuit of wealth. We are holding on to the Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt that poison our minds. We are holding on to the wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep that distract us from our true purpose. We are holding on to our ego and our selfishness, our emotions, and our deep-seated attachments. My dear children, do you understand how to practise letting go and holding on? Can you see the path clearly in your heart?

The Immediate Choice

Letting go is not a task for tomorrow or a goal for the distant future. Letting go is an act for this very moment. When you truly understand the Truth, you can let go instantly. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, as the chief writer.

Namo Amituofo