Perfectly Turning Without Obstruction

(This image was created with devotion by Lay Practitioner Huihui.)

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe

June 11, 2023

The Harmony of Compassion and Wisdom

For those of us who are Buddhist practitioners, the path to Awakening requires the simultaneous cultivation of two essential qualities: compassion and Wisdom. When these two are balanced and working in unison, you will find that your actions in the world become fluid and natural. You will move through life with ease, finding that your affairs encounter no obstacles and your interactions with others are free from unnecessary friction.

However, if you find yourself facing persistent obstacles, you must understand that this is a manifestation of your past karma. It is a signal that the seeds you have sown in the past are now ripening. Rather than becoming discouraged or resentful, you should view these moments as precious opportunities for growth. Use this time to apply the teachings of the Dharma, resolving these conflicts with peace and patience. By doing so, you prevent these current difficulties from becoming the source of future karmic suffering.

Resolving the Roots of Suffering

Regardless of the cause or the nature of the harm you have experienced, the reason it persists as a burden is that it was not resolved at the time it occurred. It remained a knot in your heart, waiting to be untied. Therefore, if you are able to resolve these conflicts peacefully, you must seize the present moment to do so.

Especially when you are supported by the Buddha's blessings, you should aspire to turn these difficulties into a state of perfect, unobstructed flow. Through the sincere efforts of all parties involved, you can transform a negative situation into one that is beneficial for the entire community. This is the true application of the Dharma in daily life.

The Path of No-Self

The core of your practice lies in your ability to "see through" and "let go" of your attachments, eventually reaching the state of no-self. Throughout this process, the people, events, and objects you encounter are all reflections of your own mind. They appear because of your own karmic conditions.

If you can truly reach the state of no-self, you will no longer view others as adversaries. Instead, you will see every person as one among the vast multitude of beings. You will recognise that they, too, possess the inherent Buddha-nature, and that their current actions are merely the result of confusion and ignorance. When you can relate to others with this perspective, your compassion will naturally arise, and your Wisdom will manifest. You will no longer respond with anger, and you will find that even the most complex matters become easy to resolve.

Cultivating a Life of Peace

As a practitioner, your goal is to pacify the grievances of others, not to add to them. It is the height of Wisdom to ensure that you do not create new enmity. If you can navigate your life with this grace, turning all situations into a state of perfect, unobstructed flow, then your practice has truly reached a level of maturity. You have become a true guide, capable of helping all beings leave suffering behind and find happiness.

Namo Amituofo