Letting Go of the Self to Realise the True Nature

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.

Third Session, April 25, 2025.

The Vessel of True Cultivation

In our practice, we must learn to make good use of this body to engage in True Cultivation. Here, the term 'false' refers to this physical body, which is merely a temporary vessel. The 'true' refers to our original true self. We can use this body as a tool to rediscover our true self. If you can let go of the 'self' and replace it with the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo', you will be able to rediscover your true self. This is what we mean by 'letting go of the self to realise the true nature'.

Why do we call this body a 'false' body? It is because this body only exists in the world for a limited amount of time. When our life ends, the Causal Conditions for this body are exhausted. The spirit then leaves the body and enters the next phase of existence. In contrast, the true self is eternal. It is indestructible, unborn, and undying. This is what we call 'true'. The body, however, is not permanent; it is a product of Causal Conditions that arise and cease. Compared to the truth of our original nature, this body is merely a false, temporary vessel.

Where the Self Hides

Where can we find this 'self' that we cling to so tightly? We find it in our delusions, our attachments, our subjective views, and our opinions. We find it in our homes, our families, and the roles we play. We find it in our names, our academic achievements, our wealth, our status, our power, and our desires. We find it in our perceptions of poverty, wealth, beauty, ugliness, height, weight, and size. We find it in our feelings, our thoughts, our behaviours, and the complex workings of our consciousness. Everything we believe to be 'ours' is stored within the Alaya consciousness. We are trapped within the six realms of existence because of this clinging.

The Path of Letting Go

To let go of the self means to reach a state of no-self and selflessness. It means to be free from delusions, attachments, subjective views, and opinions. It means that you are no longer influenced by the superficial labels of poverty, wealth, beauty, or ugliness. If you are a monastic, letting go of the self means leaving behind your home, your family, and your worldly roles. It means abandoning your name, your academic credentials, your wealth, your status, your power, and your desires. It means transcending the five aggregates of Feelings, Perceptions, Mental Formations, and Consciousness, as well as the six senses and their objects.

The Holy Name as the Ultimate Practice

To let go of the self, one must engage in diligent practice that is active and persistent. You must allow the Holy Name 'Namo Amituofo' to replace everything within your Body-Mind-Spirit and even your very cells. 24/7, from morning until night, whether you are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, you must never be apart from the Holy Name. You must never be apart from the Buddha. If you can truly practise in this way, you will reach the moment of letting go of the self to realise the true nature.

Namo Amituofo