The Illusion of the Self

Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

On the twenty-second of October, 2021, during the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these essential teachings on the nature of the self.

The Mirage of Past Experiences

Where do you truly reside? Often, you believe you exist within your past experiences and your accumulated expertise. When you speak of what you have done, the skills you have mastered, or the history you have built, you become eloquent and animated. Your entire mindset is revealed in these moments, as you remain deeply submerged in the shadows of the past. You cling to these memories as if they define your very essence, yet they are merely echoes of a time that has already vanished.

The Prison of the Physical Form

You also believe you reside within your physical body. When your body begins to age, when sickness takes hold, or when pain becomes your constant companion, you feel as though your life is coming to a standstill. You tell your body, and you tell the world, that you are old, that you are ill, that you are in pain, and that you can no longer move forward. By constantly reinforcing these negative affirmations, you accelerate the process of ageing and deepen the severity of your illness. Your body and your thoughts are constantly conspiring to match your commands. They follow your instructions faithfully, manifesting a version of 'you' that is defined entirely by limitation and suffering.

The Weight of Emotional Attachment

Your heart, too, is often trapped in a cycle of suffering. You feel anger when someone criticises you, and because you hold onto that 'self' that has been slighted, you refuse to let the resentment go. You also believe you reside within your home and your family, convinced that you must occupy a specific, significant place in the hearts of your loved ones. You are everywhere—in your body, in your emotions, in your thoughts, and in your attachments. You have constructed a 'self' that is scattered across every aspect of your life, and you believe this construction is real.

Transcending the Self for the Sake of All Beings

My dear children, you must realise that all these versions of the 'self' are entirely illusory. They are the very chains that bind you to the ocean of suffering and the endless cycle of rebirth, preventing you from finding true liberation. However, if you can shift your perspective, you will find a way out:

• See the suffering in the bodies of all beings.
• Recognise the pain in the hearts of all beings.
• Acknowledge the struggles in the thoughts of all beings.
• Understand the burdens carried by the families of all beings.

Everywhere you look, there are countless beings waiting to be saved. A true practitioner must let go of the small 'self' and focus entirely on the needs of others. When you dedicate your life to the diligent practice of helping all beings, you will finally reach the moment of Awakening. Only then will you be able to truly save others and guide them to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.