The Essence of Purity

The Thrice Yearning Ceremony is a profound opportunity for spiritual renewal and deep reflection. During the second session of this sacred gathering, held on the twenty-fifth of April in 2020, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these essential teachings on the nature of purity.

The Vow of the Monastics

For the monastics, the purification of the body, mind, and the Six Roots is the foundation of their practice. It is through this state of absolute clarity that they are able to shoulder the great responsibility of the Buddha’s work. A heart that is clear and untainted is more precious than ten thousand pieces of gold. Within this state of true purity, one can perceive the infinite meanings of the Dharma.

The Barriers to a Pure Heart

However, if you hold onto intentionality, it becomes difficult to attain true purity. When you cling tightly to your personal feelings and sensory experiences, you lose the clarity of your original nature. Private desires and emotional attachments will only distance you from this state of peace. Furthermore, the habit of comparing yourself to others—judging who is higher or lower—serves only to disturb the stillness of your mind.

Cultivating the Wisdom of Silence

When you find yourself surrounded by the impurities of the world, you must learn to detach from them. Practising silence is a form of pure wisdom. Every thought you have should be a thought of chanting Namo Amituofo; this is what we call a pure thought. When you purify your mind through silence, you are cultivating a profound and pure wisdom. You must strive to purify your heart, your physical body, and your spirit, allowing the heart to lead and elevate the entire body-mind-spirit complex.

Returning to the Original Nature

A mind that is perfectly still, silent, and free from the ego is the state of eternal light. This eternal purity, which is devoid of the self, is your true nature. It is rare to encounter a place of such purity where the Buddha truly abides. Use this opportunity to seek out your true self and awaken to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo