The Courage to Face the Truth

The Comfort of Illusion

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony and the Noon Offering held on September 4, 2020, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided profound guidance on the nature of reality. Many people in this world prefer to dwell within the comfort of illusions rather than confront the stark reality of their existence. Why do we choose this path? It is because the truth is often uncomfortable, challenging, and difficult to accept. We have become accustomed to living in a world of carefully crafted appearances, using these layers to mask our shortcomings, our inadequacies, and our deep-seated anxieties.

Transforming the Self

However, we must remember that our flaws are not meant to be hidden; they are meant to be faced and improved. Only by confronting our shortcomings can we truly transform our karma and avoid creating further evil. When we feel inadequate or unsettled, we must seek out the root of the problem. Only then can we find the strength to fill those voids and restore peace to our hearts. This is the essential work of a practitioner.

The Path to Awakening

The simple truth is this: if you cannot face your own flaws, inadequacies, and anxieties, you will remain trapped in an illusory life. You will never find a moment of true clarity, and you will certainly never reach the state of an awakened being. If you continue to live in this state of self-deception, you risk falling back into the six realms of rebirth. If that happens, all your efforts in practice will have been in vain, and your days will have passed without true purpose. Let us resolve to be honest with ourselves, to strip away the illusions, and to walk the path of the Truth with sincerity and courage. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo