The True Self: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Illusion of the False Self

On the twentieth of September, 2020, during the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided essential teachings on the nature of the self. We often ask ourselves, "Where do I come from?" To answer this, we must first distinguish between the false self and the true self.

The false self is the "I" that we identify with in our daily lives. It is a manifestation that believes itself to be supreme, yet it exists only within the confines of a dream-like illusion. This false self is persistent; it is with us at every moment, in every place, and in every passing second. We can identify this temporary self through several markers:

• Our Name:
• This represents our existence in the world, whether in the present or in the past.Our Breath:
• This serves as the indicator that the physical body is currently alive.Our Body: This is the vessel that we mistakenly believe to be the entirety of who we are.

We cling to these markers, believing that our name, our breath, and our physical form are truly "us." However, this identity is constantly bound to our physical form and is entirely subject to the laws of karma and cause and effect. It is a life governed by the arrangements of fate, and it is filled with constant mutation and impermanence. Because it is subject to these forces, it is destined to undergo the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. The truth is that all of these are merely the false self; they are temporary and possess a limited duration. They arise within the cycle of cause and effect, and when those causal conditions dissipate, this false self vanishes.

The Eternal Nature of the True Self

In contrast, the true self—the state of no-self—is the life that emerges after one has achieved Awakening, where the body and the spirit become one. This true self is not defined by the limitations of the physical world. Instead, it is characterized by qualities that are eternal and boundless:

• Unchanging Compassion:
• A heart that holds infinite, unwavering compassion for all beings.Boundless Mind-Capacity:
• A capacity for tolerance that is vast and all-encompassing.Prajna Wisdom: A depth of wisdom that is limitless and profound.

When one lives from this true nature, every action is transformed. Even when we serve beings, we do so with a heart that is committed to their liberation. Our desire to help beings leave suffering behind and our vow to save the world never waver. We are willing to take on the suffering of others to save them, and our daily activities—our eating, clothing, dwelling, and travelling—are all performed for the sake of all beings. We carry a sense of responsibility that never allows us to slacken, and in every move we make, we act for the benefit of others. This is the true self.

Abiding in the Light of the Dharma

The true self abides within the vastness of the Dharma Realm. No matter the time or the place, it remains unmoved. It dwells in the state of eternity, joy, the true self, and purity, surrounded by infinite light. The spirit itself is neither born nor destroyed; it is beyond the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Through the power of the Dharma Body, the spirit can perform Chao Du, and with complete freedom, it can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.