The Essence of Purity
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
First Session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Australia, 2019
Purity is the fundamental state of our existence. It is inherently free from all defilement and exists naturally within us.
The Pristine Nature of Our Original Being
When we first enter this world, we arrive in a state of pristine clarity. Yet, by the time our life reaches its end, our spirits are often covered in layers of dust and impurity. We must ask ourselves: where has that clear, luminous spirit gone? Where has our original purity vanished?
The Architecture of a Pure Life
The heart is the foundation of the spirit. When is pure, the is pure, and the spirit is pure. This purity must permeate every aspect of our lives:
- Faith: A pure, unwavering belief in the path.
- Vows: Pure intentions directed toward the benefit of all beings.
- Practice: Diligent, consistent, and pure actions.
- Speech: Words that are honest, kind, and free from malice.
- Intentions: Thoughts that are clear and focused on the Truth.
To be truly pure is to be selfless, to embody , and to be entirely free from the burden of wandering thoughts. When you are pure, your spirit remains clear and bright.
Recognising the Stains of Samsara
We must learn to identify what obscures our true nature. In the realm of samsara, impurity manifests in many forms:
- Suffering: The weight of karmic burdens.
- Mental Agitation: The constant, restless movement of the mind.
- Selfishness: The narrow focus on the ego.
- Emotional Attachment: The entanglements of our .
- The Cycle of Emotions: , anger, sorrow, and happiness.
- The Cycle of Life: The pain of meeting and the sorrow of parting.
- Wandering Thoughts: The constant movement of the heart and mind.
- Comparison: The endless cycle of calculating gains and losses.
If a state of mind is not pure, it is inherently impure. Where has our purity gone? It has been buried under these layers of accumulated stains.
Returning to the Luminous Source
Through diligent practice, we can extinguish these stains and clearly realise our true nature. By returning to the source of purity, we uncover the wisdom that has always been within us. This record was written by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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