2026/5/9 Zhongfeng Thrice Yearning, Second Session: Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju on "Selflessness and No-Self"

Teachings by the Teacher. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui

9 May 2026

Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

Before attaining an awakened being, the interactions between people, the communication of views and methods,

the persistence and attachment to one's role and stance may seem like progress,

but in reality, it is the operation of karma.

If those with open eyes could see, they would realise that it is not the true self in charge,

but rather the interaction and communication between beings.

Between beings, there is also a relationship of karma,

and their communication and interaction progress according to their mutual karma.

That is to say, the karmic creditors of both sides each use the bodies of their karmic creditors to communicate and interact.

The result of this communication and interaction, whether creating evil or performing Goodness,

is that both the body and spirit of each party receive the retribution, or form Collective Karma to bear the laws of karma and cause and effect together.

This sounds like an inconceivable matter, but the truth is indeed so. People have always lived in such interactions,

and have become accustomed to this way of interacting.

This is a life that cannot be self-mastered, but is instead mastered by karma.

Then what are you still persisting in and attached to? Persisting in your own views, thinking that you are right,

attached to your feelings, that this is your personality,

and still paying the price of the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death in this human body for these Causal Conditions and the laws of karma and cause and effect that seem real but are actually illusory?

Having lived like this throughout your many lives, when will you be able to escape the cycle of reincarnation,

and the days of being unable to master yourself?

The suffering in the dark night, all the thoughts and the bits and pieces of actions,

all enter the consciousness and become karma, forming Causal Conditions and the laws of karma and cause and effect, waiting for the conditions to mature, which is when the suffering occurs.

Practice is for the sake of letting go of these persistences and attachments, which seem reasonable,

but are actually pointless persistences and attachments,

binding your own body and heart, unable to stretch freely.

Raise the Buddha-name! Chant one Buddha's name to the end.

Under the blessing of the Buddha's power,

let go of your views, the belief that you are right, attachment to your feelings,

and the persistence and attachment to your personality,

so that your practice can progress, and you will not waste your time.

Namo Amituofo.