Transcending the Illusion of Right and Wrong

The Thrice Yearning Ceremony is a profound opportunity to align our hearts with the Western Pure Land. During the second session of this ceremony, held on 14 March 2020, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered essential teachings on the nature of our daily conflicts and the importance of transcending our attachment to worldly judgements.

The Illusion of Worldly Judgement

In this world, we are constantly caught in the web of right and wrong. We argue, we defend our positions, and we insist that we are correct while others are mistaken. You might say that I am wrong, and I might insist that I am right. But have you ever stopped to ask: who is truly right, and who is truly wrong? Why must we engage in such sharp, confrontational conflict? These disputes are merely worldly Dharma that keep us bound to the cycle of rebirth.

The Fleeting Nature of Perception

Consider how these positions shift like the wind. At one moment, you are wrong and I am right; at another moment, the roles are reversed. A wise person understands that these are merely shifting perspectives. In the ultimate sense, there is no right, no wrong, and no conflict. These perceptions exist only within the feelings and sensations of the human heart. These sensations are, by their nature, illusory appearances. They are simply the manifestations of the laws of karma and cause and effect. When we chase these illusions, we lose our way.

Returning to the Pure Heart

Why must you cling to these illusions and let your heart be covered in the dust of attachment? Such clinging ruins the pure body of your practice. It clouds your vision and prevents you from finding peace. Only by realising your true nature can you clearly see the truth beyond the duality of right and wrong. Let go of these worldly burdens, return to the purity of your original nature, and focus your heart on the path to the Western Pure Land. By doing so, you will find the clarity needed to leave suffering behind and find true happiness.

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

Namo Amituofo