Seeing the Truth Clearly: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Obstacles to Seeing the Truth

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are reminded that our ability to perceive the truth is often obscured by the heavy weight of our past actions. When we allow our karmic creditors to take control of our lives, we lose the ability to be the master of our own destiny. We become easily swayed by volatile emotions, prone to anger, and quick to ignite the fires of resentment. When we are trapped in this state, we are consumed by selfishness and self-interest. Our thoughts become a turbulent, endless stream that we cannot quiet, and our ego-attachment and subjective views become so rigid that we are unable to see the world as it truly is. Because we are so deeply entrenched in our own narrow perspectives, we remain blind to the fundamental facts of our existence.

The Path of Stillness and Awakening

To break free from this cycle of confusion, we must cultivate a mind that is as still as a calm lake. When you achieve true meditative concentration, you regain the power to be the master of your own life. This state of being is characterised by several essential qualities:

• Selflessness:
• You let go of the ego that constantly demands attention and validation.No-self:
• You realise that the individual self is not the centre of the universe, allowing you to see the interconnectedness of all things.Sincerity:
• You approach life with a heart that is honest, transparent, and free from deceit.The One-Body Perspective:
• You recognise that all sentient beings are one, fostering a deep sense of empathy and unity.Compassion and Wisdom: You act with a heart that seeks to alleviate the suffering of others, guided by the clear light of Wisdom.

By diligently chanting Namo Amituofo, you purify your body, mind, and spirit. Those who have realised their true nature are the ones who can finally see the truth of reality clearly.

The Choice Before You

You must now ask yourself a difficult question: Do you wish to be a person who sees the truth clearly and remains the master of their own life? Or will you continue to live in a state where you cannot see the truth, where you are constantly controlled by external forces and internal delusions, yet mistakenly believe that everything you know and see is correct? This is the crossroads that every practitioner faces. To choose the path of awakening is to choose freedom from the cycle of rebirth.

Living the Truth

Seeing the truth clearly is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a way of living that requires constant vigilance and practice. It means that you must:

• Distinguish between the right and the wrong:
• You must clearly identify what is righteous and what is deviant in your daily actions.Understand the laws of karma and cause and effect:
• You must recognise that every action has a consequence and live accordingly.Refrain from evil:
• You must refuse to engage in wrong paths, non-virtuous deeds, or actions that violate the Precepts.Avoid creating negative karma:
• You must be mindful not to commit acts that offend the laws of karma and cause and effect.Follow the Truth: You must align your life with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, moving forward with unwavering determination.

By keeping the name of Namo Amituofo in your heart at every moment, you will eventually reach the time of Awakening. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe. Namo Amituofo.