The Nature of All Beings and the Path to Awakening

The Thrice Yearning Ceremony serves as a profound opportunity for all practitioners to reflect deeply upon the nature of our existence. During the first session, held on the 3rd of January 2021, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these compassionate teachings to all beings, reminding us of our true potential and the necessity of letting go.

The Veils of Separation

Who are all these sentient beings? We often perceive ourselves as separate, distinct individuals, yet in the ultimate truth, I am you, and you are me. We are all one another. Throughout the countless eons of our existence, we have worn many different faces and lived many different lives. Despite these changing appearances, we all share the same original spirit. We have turned and turned within the six realms of existence, wandering through this world and others. None of these places are truly unfamiliar to us, for we have walked these paths many times before.

The Weight of Lingering Shadows

However, we have forgotten the scenes of the past. Once these experiences pass through our hearts, they all become empty. We only store these lingering thoughts and memories within our minds, creating a heavy burden that weighs upon our spirit. Why must we suffer through this journey again and again? Nothing remains, for it was all an illusion from the start. We cling to these things so tightly, but where are they now? Even as ghosts, we hold onto the grudges of the past. Do not blame others for not providing the counseling to let go; it is simply that your heart has not yet truly understood the nature of reality.

The Radiant Call to Buddhahood

Today, I call upon you once more to let go of your attachments. Do not choose to remain a ghost trapped in the cycle of rebirth; choose instead to become a Buddha. By chanting Namo Amituofo, you can journey together into the radiant Buddha-light. You have the potential to become a Buddha or a Sage in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Once you have attained this state, you can return to this Saha world to save those you once knew, guiding them toward the same liberation.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, acting as chief writer.

Namo Amituofo