Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the fifteenth day of September, 2024, during the Noon Offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound teachings on the nature of our existence.
The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Beauty
When we find ourselves surrounded by beautiful scenery, immersed in wonderful dreams, or experiencing great success, we naturally wish to remain in those moments forever. We hope that the beauty will never fade, that the dream will never end, and that the success will never slip away. We cling to these experiences, hoping to freeze time so that we may dwell in comfort indefinitely.
However, the truth of reality is quite different. All beautiful scenery will eventually fade; all dreams must eventually come to an end; and all worldly successes will eventually flow away like water. The longer we remain immersed in these illusions, the more painful it becomes when we are finally forced to wake up. If we are not prepared, the transition from these pleasant illusions back to the harshness of reality can be devastating.
The Wisdom of the Awakened
A wise person understands that beauty, dreams, and worldly achievements are not permanent. They are merely temporary manifestations within the cycle of existence. If you are a true practitioner—one who has realised your true self-nature—you will be able to distinguish clearly between what is illusory and what is real.
When you recognise the truth of reality, you will not be deceived by these illusions. You will maintain an unmoved mind, keeping your heart calm and steady regardless of the circumstances. You will accept everything that comes your way with a clear, awakened mind, following the Causal Conditions as they arise. You will not resist the flow of life, but rather, you will move with it, maintaining your inner peace and clarity.
The Path of Compassionate Teaching
Beyond merely maintaining your own peace, those who have realised their true self-nature are able to actively teach and guide other beings. By sharing the truth, you can help others break through delusion and attain , allowing them to rediscover their own true self-nature. This is the ultimate expression of .
Furthermore, those who have reached this level of practice can often foresee the time of their departure. They are able to come and go freely, returning back to the of Ultimate Bliss with ease and confidence, having fulfilled their purpose in this world.
Understanding Our Karmic Relationships
For those who have not yet transformed their , life is often a struggle. We are bound by the laws of karma and cause and effect, and our Body, Speech, and Mind are often not under our own control. We are frequently entangled in the suffering of aging, sickness, and death. Because of this, we often treat one another based on the karmic debts we owe or are owed.
In this world, our relationships—whether between parents and children, or between husbands and wives—are often governed by four types of karmic interactions: seeking repayment of debt, repaying a debt, repaying a kindness, and seeking revenge. These are the Causal Conditions of the world. They are the threads that bind us to the cycle of rebirth.
Transforming Karma through Compassion
Once you have recognised the truth of reality, you have the opportunity to change how you interact with these karmic forces. Instead of allowing yourself to be driven by the old patterns of debt and resentment, you can choose a higher path. You can choose to treat others with compassion, wisdom, tolerance, and mind-capacity.
By replacing the cycle of debt and resentment with these virtues, you are actively transforming your karma. This is the moment when your practice truly begins to bear fruit. By doing so, you move from confusion to , from wrong paths to the right path, and from impurity to purity. Namo Amituofo.
