Overcoming the Shadow of Jealousy

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the twenty-fourth of February, 2024, during the first session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound insights on the nature of jealousy.

The Subtle Roots of Jealousy

Jealousy is an incredibly subtle and insidious emotion that often hides within the depths of our hearts. It typically manifests the moment you witness someone else performing better than you, or when you see them receiving the praise and recognition that you secretly desire for yourself. In the beginning, this feeling may arise unconsciously. However, if left unchecked, it quickly escalates into inappropriate behaviours, facial expressions, and actions that betray our inner turmoil.

This is not merely a minor obstacle to your spiritual progress; it is a direct barrier to your Awakening. It acts as a magnet for negative karma, inviting karmic creditors to manifest and allowing demon crowds to enter your body and take control of your mind. Jealousy often takes root in childhood, the moment we begin to interact with the outside world. As we learn to make distinctions and engage in constant comparison, this seed of jealousy is sown. As we grow and learn to protect our ego, we become adept at hiding these feelings from others.

Dismantling the Ego

The moment you realise you are harbouring such thoughts, you must take immediate action to dismantle them. You must break down this emotion until it is completely dissolved. If you allow it to linger in your heart for a long time, it will inevitably become the very reason you fail to attain the state of an awakened being in this lifetime. The method for improvement lies in the diligent cultivation of three essential qualities:

• Compassion:
• Developing a heart that feels for the suffering of others.Inclusivity:
• Expanding your capacity to accept and embrace all beings without judgement.Oneness: Realising that you and all beings are fundamentally one.

The Power of Oneness

When the ego—the sense of 'I'—is transcended, you will find that whenever someone else does something beneficial for all beings, you naturally feel a sense of profound joy. Because you understand that you and all beings are one, their success is your success. To give rise to all roots of goodness and achieve the fruit of Bodhi is a vital part of your spiritual cultivation. It is the most effective way to dissolve the poison of jealousy.

Choosing the Right Path

In every situation, you must choose to see the good, think the good, and do the good. When you witness the positive achievements of others, offer them your sincere praise and rejoice in their success. Do not allow yourself to be pulled into the whirlpool of negativity, where you only see the bad, think the bad, and act in ways that harm your own spirit. Be brave enough to face your own shortcomings. Change your personality, nurture your compassion, and practise the art of sincere praise. This will be of immense benefit to your journey towards the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. By aligning yourself with the the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, you will find the strength to overcome these internal obstacles.

Namo Amituofo