The Inquiry into the True Self

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

On the twenty-fourth of February, 2023, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings on the nature of the self.

The Mirage of the Ordinary Self

What kind of self is the true self? How great is the gap between the true self and the self that we perceive in our daily lives? For ordinary people, the physical appearance and the form of the body are constantly changing. As time flows forward and we grow older, we move closer, day by day, to the inevitable realities of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

We often identify with this physical shell, believing it to be who we are. However, this is merely a temporary manifestation. Because we are caught in the cycle of reincarnation, we experience the progression of karma throughout this life, only to enter the cycle of reincarnation once more to begin another life. This cycle continues endlessly until we choose to awaken.

The Transformative Power of Diligent Practice

In contrast, the practitioner engages in a life of constant purification, refinement, and the changing of your ways. Through this diligent practice, one can overcome the various challenges that arise within the Body-Mind-Spirit. As we purify our hearts and minds, our physical cells are nourished by this Goodness and are better able to maintain health.

Even as our cells undergo their natural life cycles—being discarded, renewed, and regenerated—the practitioner who maintains a high level of attainment (in practice) can see a difference. Their physical appearance, form, and internal organs are less affected by the passage of time. They experience:

• A normal, healthy process of cellular replacement.A significant slowing of the aging process.The absence of severe illness, or only very minor ailments.

These outcomes vary depending on the depth of one's attainment (in practice). The more one purifies the heart, the more the body reflects that inner clarity.

True Cultivation: Using the False to Realise the True

Regardless of these physical changes, the practitioner must always remember that everything in this world is an illusion. The body itself is a temporary vessel. However, if a practitioner understands the principle of True Cultivation, they can transform their karma through the power of their vows.

By making a sincere vow to reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, one can transform this body of karma into a vessel for the Dharma. As this vow is put into practice through diligent effort, the body itself begins to change. It becomes a tool for the vow, rather than a slave to karma and the influence of karmic creditors. This is what we mean by transform karma, and it is a vital prerequisite for reaching the state of an awakened being.

Returning to the Original Nature

Ultimately, it is the self-nature that is the true self. It is the eternal, unchanging essence that lies beneath all our temporary experiences. Therefore, you must ask yourself: At what stage is my practice today? Am I truly moving forward, step by step, toward the goal of finding my original nature?

This inquiry is the most important work you can undertake. Do not let your time pass in vain. Focus your heart, strengthen your vows, and continue your practice with unwavering determination.

Namo Amituofo