Emptiness and Existence: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Interplay of Emptiness and Form

When you perceive the appearance of emptiness, you must realise that it is not truly non-existent. All that exists in its fullness arises from this very emptiness. It is like the vast sky from which all phenomena emerge; though the sky appears empty, it is the source of all manifestation.

The Discernment of Purity

If you do not possess a pure mind, how can you discern what is impure and defiled? Purity is the mirror of the soul. Without this clarity, you remain lost in the turbulence of the world. Once you realise the state of non-arising, you enter the realm of non-arising. You must be careful not to cling to the concept of emptiness, and equally, you must not cling to the concept of existence. Both are merely mental constructs that can hinder your progress.

Revealing Your Original Face

Everything is naturally as it is. Within this natural state, all things unfold in their own time. Only when you let go of your attachments can you see your original, true face. You must seek liberation, rising above the mundane to reach the supreme state of the Buddha. To achieve this, you must possess the reality of meditative concentration, leaving behind the fleeting appearances that lack such stability. The pure Tathagata is, in essence, empty, and this is what we call true purity. To be at ease with both emptiness and existence—this is the state of the Tathagata. These teachings were recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, who serves as the chief writer.