Purity and Nothingness: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Teachings from the Thrice Yearning Ceremony
November 20, 2019, Australia
The Foundation of Purity
To walk the Buddha's path, we must begin by purifying our hearts, refining our thoughts, and cleansing our Body, Speech, and Mind. This is the essential foundation for any practitioner. When we speak of purity, we are not merely talking about a temporary state of calm, but a fundamental shift in how we engage with the world. By purifying our internal state, we prepare the ground for the light of wisdom to manifest.
We must cultivate the state of no-mind, no-thought, and transcend the limitations of our physical and karmic existence. This is the path of nothingness. When we are pure and unstained, our true nature can finally shine through. Being pure and unstained allows one to see through the veil of existence. Seeing through leads to clarity, and from that clarity, the light of wisdom is born.
The Radiance of Emptiness
Purity brings clarity. Yet, even this purity is still an illusion; it is merely the purest brightness within the realm of illusion. Nothingness is emptiness. When there is no perception and no sensation, one attains the vision of one's original, true face.
There is and no-craving. There is no selfishness and no biased views. All actions become non-action—spontaneous and in harmony with the Truth. In the state of no-mind, the heart is boundless and free from all limitations.
The Boundless Heart of the Buddha
Only the Buddha-vow should be acted upon. The Buddha-heart should be followed, and the Buddha-name should guide one's pure thoughts and practice. Only when there are beings is there a Buddha. Without beings, one merges into the whole. The Buddha is found within all beings, and all beings are, in essence, Buddhas.
In confusion, they are called beings. In , they are called Buddhas. Small awakening brings only shallow clarity. Only through great awakening can one see one's true nature and realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood.
Returning to the Original Nature
You must know that awakening is the process of waking up, of reclaiming your original, sensitive, and luminous awareness. When all beings awaken, they become Buddhas; this is the true Buddha, your own original nature!
This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, who served as the chief writer.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library