The Divine Sight and Hearing of the Awakened
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
From the 2019 World Disaster Mitigation and Blessing Dharma Assembly
The Illusion of the
When we look out into this world with our ordinary eyes, we are met with a kaleidoscope of colours and a myriad of forms. We believe that what we see is the ultimate reality, yet all these appearances are merely projections born from our . We are easily deceived by the surface of things, mistaking the fleeting shadows of this world for something permanent and substantial.
Similarly, our ears are constantly filled with a vast array of sounds. We hear the rise and fall of voices, the melodies of , and the discordant notes of sorrow. Within these sounds, we hear the entire spectrum of the human experience: birth, aging, sickness, and death. Each of these stages carries its own unique tone, yet we rarely pause to consider the deeper truth hidden within these vibrations.
The Fleeting Echoes of Human Existence
Consider the journey of a human life. We arrive in this world with a cry, a fragile beginning that heralds our entry into the cycle of rebirth. As the years pass, our voices grow weary and hoarse with age. When sickness strikes, our sounds turn to groans of pain and cries of distress. Finally, when the time of death arrives, the world falls silent as our karmic connections to this life reach their end.
Throughout this entire lifetime, everything we have seen and everything we have heard remains behind. All the possessions we have gathered, all the status we have attained—none of it can be taken with us. When the master of the house has departed, the objects remain, but they are empty and devoid of purpose. We must ask ourselves: why have we come to this world for this brief encounter? What is the true meaning of our existence?
The Clarity of the Awakened Heart
You must use your own body and mind to verify the infinite . This human life is precious and difficult to obtain; it is a rare opportunity that should not be squandered. When one reaches the state of an awakened being, the five eyes of wisdom become clear. You will possess the divine sight and hearing, perceiving all things with absolute clarity and understanding.
In this state of , the heart is free from all attachments. You will see the suffering inherent in the birth of all things, and you will hear the sounds of all beings as they exist in their current state. This divine sight and hearing is not a supernatural power to be sought for ego, but a natural manifestation of your original nature. It is the way things truly are, and it is the same state of being as Namo Amituofo.
Returning to the of Ultimate Bliss
Namo Amituofo is the embodiment of our own heart and our deepest vows. The Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is our true home, the place to which we are destined to return. Once you enter the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, you will attain the same as Namo Amituofo. Let this be your singular focus, your constant practice, and your ultimate destination.
These teachings were recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library