The Crying Child Within

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

The Hidden Sorrow Within

Have you ever discovered a child crouching in a corner of your heart, weeping? This is the child who was neglected long ago. The wounds inflicted upon the heart have never been soothed, nor have they faded with the passage of time. Instead, they remain, weeping silently in the deepest recesses of your being. This child is, in truth, yourself—existing within the inner space of your own spirit. Perhaps it is your true self, or your very soul, that has been forgotten.

The True Self Held Captive

The true self was locked away in the heart during your childhood. From that moment on, the physical body was no longer under the command of your true self. Yet, the body continued to grow, moving through the stages of life: from a child to a teenager, then to an adult, building a family and a career. Even as one becomes a father, a mother, a grandfather, or a grandmother, the truth remains hidden from the conscious mind: the true self is not the one in control. Through the entire process of birth, aging, sickness, death, the crying child remains locked in that inner space. The aging body eventually approaches the threshold of death, and the karmic connections of this life finally come to an end.

The Endless Cycle of Wandering

When the physical life concludes, the child finally leaves this space, detaching from the physical form. Like many sentient beings residing within the body, the spirit exits rapidly. It may then enter the ghost realm, becoming a wandering soul unable to master its own destiny. Alternatively, it may follow its karma to the next destination, to be reincarnated into another life. It might enter the animal realm, or manifest within the physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers—taking the form of beasts, insects, or plants. The spirit within this body has experienced life after life since the time it was that crying child. Each life brings different encounters and karmic conditions. In this way, the spirit drifts through the cycle of rebirth, life after life, never finding rest.

A Reflection for Your Own Journey

This spirit could be you, or it could be anyone around you. We are all caught in this profound mystery of existence, often unaware of the inner child that still weeps within. It is only through the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo that we can begin to soothe these ancient wounds, reclaim our true nature, and find the path to liberation. Do not let another moment pass in confusion. Turn your heart toward the light of the Buddha, and let the crying child find peace at last.

Namo Amituofo