Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On the sixth of July, 2025, during the midday offering of the , Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings to the assembly.
Looking Beyond the Surface of Words
The essence of the Buddha’s teachings lies within the heart. It is not enough to merely read the sutras or study the scriptures; one must have a true, internal realisation. If you only interpret the Buddha’s words through intellectual analysis, you are like a traveller standing outside the gate, merely observing the exterior of a magnificent house. You may admire the structure, but you have not yet stepped inside to experience the warmth and light within.
However, if you can attain a genuine realisation of the meaning behind the words, you have stepped through the threshold to explore the truth for yourself. When you finally recognise the full scope of the , you have achieved a personal verification. At this stage, you can understand the conditions inside the room without needing to enter, and you can see the truth of reality at a glance without needing to search for it.
The Gateway Between Self and Truth
This gate represents the boundary between the inner heart and the outer world. It is the fundamental difference between one who studies the Buddha’s teachings and one who has truly grasped their essence. If you have attained this realisation, you will be able to draw inferences about other matters from a single principle, applying the Wisdom of the Dharma to every aspect of your life.
In the world, people base their entire existence on the ego. Because we are so accustomed to this, when we teach others, we often start from the perspective of . This is a useful method because it is easy to resonate with the problems and concerns of others. However, you must not remain trapped in the ego. If you stay focused only on your own needs, you will easily fall into selfishness. Therefore, you must use the starting point of the self as a bridge to lead yourself and others toward a broader, more compassionate perspective.
Transcending the Ego to Embrace All Beings
You must learn to recognise that the suffering you experience is the same suffering experienced by all beings. When you feel pain, know that others feel that same pain, and often, they are suffering a hundred or a thousand times more than you are. Who are these beings? They are the residing within your own body, as well as the people you encounter in this life, whether you know them or not.
If you have attained a measure of realisation, you must apply yourself to even more diligent practice. This realisation is the key that clears the blockages and resolves the confusion that has troubled you in your daily life. If you can maintain a steady stream of these small realisations, you will eventually reach the moment of great .
The Fruits of True Realisation
When the great Awakening occurs, everything becomes suddenly clear. The questions that once perplexed you will find their answers. You will naturally become more compassionate, more capable of seeing the suffering of others, and more able to embrace the shortcomings of those around you. If you can enter the state of equality, where all beings are seen as one, you will reach the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature.
Those who have attained such realisation will naturally uphold the without fail. Because of their deep , they will not harm themselves, nor will they harm any other being. When challenging situations arise, they will possess the meditative concentration to remain unmoved. They will not be swayed or disturbed by external conditions, nor will they lose their judgment or their adherence to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Instead, they will move forward with even greater firmness and perseverance. In such moments, all obstacles naturally dissolve.
Furthermore, they will possess the Wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. They will listen to the teachings rather than insisting on their own views or ego-attachment. By understanding the truth of reality, they will navigate the world with greater harmony and grace. The Buddha’s teachings are boundless; the more you realise, the more you will benefit. When you reach the state of unobstructed understanding, that is the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature.
