Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offers profound wisdom on the necessity of seeing through and letting go as the primary means of self-rescue. , Practitioner Su, and I constantly remind all disciples that you must learn to see through the illusions of this world and let go of your attachments. But you may ask, what exactly must you see through, and what must you let go of?
You must see through the fact that the past is entirely illusory; it is a fleeting shadow that, once gone, will never return. Whether you dwell on right or wrong, kindness or resentment, or the complex emotions of love and hate, you must learn to let go of them all. While letting go may appear to be a form of loss, in reality, it is the greatest gain you can ever achieve.
The Ripple Effect of Our State of Mind
We live in a world where truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, are deeply intertwined. It is essential that you possess wisdom so that you are not easily led astray or confused. This is the fundamental importance of Buddhist education: it reveals the true reality of the universe to all beings. When you truly see through the illusions of this world and let go of your attachments, you create a powerful ripple effect that extends far beyond your own physical body:
You inspire your countless to see through their own suffering and let go of their grievances.
You encourage the attached spirits residing within your body to release their hold on the past.
You help the demon crowds that may be influencing your environment to find a path toward peace.
If you cannot see through these illusions and refuse to let go, the one who suffers most is you. However, you do not suffer alone; you also cause the countless beings residing within your body to suffer alongside you. Every thought, every emotion, and every feeling you experience is transmitted, bit by bit, to every single cell within your physical form.
The Burden of Unresolved
When you remain trapped in your own confusion, the spirits within you also remain trapped in their own suffering. Because they are connected to your state of mind, they become awakened to your pain. When these beings suffer, you suffer; it becomes a cycle where you are miserable, they are miserable, and everyone is trapped in a state of profound distress. How can this physical body possibly endure such a heavy burden? Why would you choose to remain in such a painful state, dragging all the beings within you into the same cycle of misery?
Why not choose to truly see through and let go? By doing so, you save yourself, and you simultaneously save the beings residing within you. When you are liberated, they are liberated, and everyone finds relief. Your physical body will feel significantly better once this heavy weight is lifted.
The Path to True Achievement
When you have a healthy body, free from the burdens of aging, illness, and suffering, you can focus entirely on your practice. Your spirit does not die; it is eternal. With a clear and focused mind, you can successfully achieve rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss. This is what it truly means to achieve spiritual success in your practice. Only then will you not have failed yourself, nor will you have failed the sentient beings with karmic affinity who rely on your progress.
This world is filled with too many distractions that lead people into confusion. It is absolutely vital that you listen to sutras and hear the so that you can see the facts of reality clearly. Only then will you avoid unnecessary suffering and remain free from confusion. All of this must be realised through your own personal experience during your practice.
At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the practice of seeing through and letting go is of the utmost importance. If you do not pass through this gate, it is very difficult to make progress in your practice. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
