Letting Go of the Past: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Unattainable Nature of Time

The mind of the past is unattainable, the mind of the present is unattainable, and the mind of the future is unattainable. Within this state of unattainability, if you insist on grasping at these fleeting moments, you will only create unnecessary afflictions and burdens for yourself. Everything is fundamentally unattainable; it is only in the immediate, present moment that one truly exists.

The Fundamental Practice of Letting Go

For any practitioner, the core of your daily work is to learn how to see through and let go. The past has already occurred; it has vanished like a dream in the cycle of arising and ceasing. Furthermore, within the constant changes of the world, you will never encounter the exact same people, events, or scenes again. The hearts of people change, the circumstances shift, and the scenery itself is transformed. You must learn to see through these illusions and let go of your attachment to them. Know when to stop and do not allow your mind to be stirred by memories of what has passed.

Transforming Your Energy

When you stop allowing your mind to be agitated by the past, you can reclaim the energy that was previously consumed by these emotional fluctuations. By redirecting this energy into the present moment, you can exert a much greater and more positive influence on your current practice. As for the future, it remains unpredictable. If you have made a sincere vow to save yourself and to save all beings, this vow can transform your karma. However, if your mind is not yet settled, you will remain susceptible to the pull of your past karma, which will make your vow appear unstable. In such a state, you are still acting according to the dictates of your karma rather than the strength of your vow.

Achieving True Stillness

Your heart must be completely let go, free of burdens and free of attachments, before your original nature can be revealed. You must release all people, events, and scenes from the past. If you merely suppress these memories, they will inevitably resurface whenever your mind is unsettled or your karma manifests. Such memories are not reality; they are merely delusions, yet they act as significant obstacles and heavy burdens on your path of practice. Therefore, only by truly seeing through the nature of these things can you genuinely let go. This is a letting go that comes from the very depths of your heart.

The Attainment of an Awakened Being

When you reach this state, your heart becomes stable and immovable. Even if images of the past appear before you, you can face them with complete equanimity, knowing they no longer affect your practice or create a burden. This is the true attainment of a practitioner. Those who have mastered the art of seeing through and let go, and who walk firmly within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, are better able to perceive the absolute truth of reality. The more clearly you see the truth, the more easily you can see through and let go. You will continue this process until your heart is empty of all delusions, yet remains perfectly clear and luminous. This is the moment of Awakening. Namo Amituofo.