How to Respond When the Ego Arises

The Challenge of the Self

During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided profound guidance on how to navigate the challenges of our daily practice. When the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness manifest, how should you respond? You must immediately raise your awareness. You must stop these impulses in their tracks and refuse to follow them. By doing so, you avoid creating karma and spare yourself from unnecessary suffering.

The Wisdom of Restraint

You must ask yourself: why do you study the Buddha's teachings and engage in practice? Why is it that you have not yet become an awakened being? It is because when the 'self,' personal ego, and selfishness arise, the losses you incur are immense. To stop and cut off these impulses the moment they appear is the true expression of wisdom. When you allow these habits to control you, you drift further away from your original nature.

Cooling the Flames of Anger

When the fire of anger begins to rise within you, what should you do? The most important step is to close your mouth and refuse to let the anger out. If you allow your anger to spread, you will harm others, and the situation will only grow more complicated. Instead, you should leave the scene immediately and go before the Buddha. There, you should perform prostrations and focus on repenting for the karma that has manifested. Think deeply about who is truly being harmed by this anger. It is you. Why would you choose to hurt yourself again and again? Anger burns down the forest of your merit, and it is simply not worth the cost. You must use wisdom to calm your intent.

The Infinite Power of Compassion

Cultivate compassion, and then cultivate it again. When your compassion becomes boundless, your wisdom will become immeasurable. This is the state where the fire of anger is extinguished, and your heart becomes calm and pure. By maintaining this state, you remain in harmony with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This teaching was recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo