Returning to the Purity of the Original Nature

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on December 26, 2021.

The Essence of Natural Purity

Consider the food we consume. When we keep food in its original state, it retains its natural flavour and provides the most wholesome nourishment for the body. However, the moment we introduce external additives, we alter its fundamental character. Whether the addition is small or large, it is no longer the original, pure flavour. This is a vital lesson for our spiritual journey.

The Burden of External Attachments

Our true self-nature is inherently simple, sincere, and perfectly good. It is pure and unadorned. Yet, we often feel compelled to add external things to our lives—seeking status, possessions, or validation. As we accumulate these external layers, our lives become increasingly complex. We lose touch with our true self-nature. We begin to compare ourselves with others, chasing after what is outside, and in doing so, we become clouded by impurities and lose our way.

The Cycle of Endless Suffering

When we are restless and unsettled, our karmic seeds manifest. We become trapped in the laws of karma and cause and effect. We are then subjected to the relentless cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. This suffering is truly endless, yet it is a cycle we have created for ourselves through our own attachments and the pursuit of external desires.

Returning to the Original Face

To break free, we must commit ourselves to the path of practice. We must diligently remove these external additives and the stains of impurity that have accumulated over lifetimes. This requires a dedicated effort—a true refinement of our body, mind, and spirit. Only by stripping away the unnecessary and the impure can we return to our true self-nature. Only then can we rediscover our true self and finally behold our original face, radiant and clear.

Namo Amituofo