The Ever-Flowing Dharma Water

During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided profound teachings on the concept of the Ever-Flowing Dharma Water. These teachings serve as a vital guide for all practitioners who seek to cleanse their inner world and align themselves with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Cleansing Essence of the Dharma

What is the true meaning of this Dharma water? The Dharma is the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. It acts as the supreme medicine to cure all that is not Dharma or is evil, and it serves to subdue the demon path. Water, in this context, represents the process of purification. To have this water flow continuously means to avoid the blockages and the accumulation of silt that often cloud our spiritual vision.

When the Dharma water flows without interruption, it washes away the deep-seated impurities and pollutions that have gathered within our body, mind, and spirit. It is only through this constant cleansing that our bodies can become clear and our inner light can finally shine forth.

The Infinite Source of Wisdom

You may ask, where does this life-giving Dharma water originate? It flows from several sacred sources:

• The Ocean of the True Self: It originates from the vast ocean of your own true self. Every drop you draw from this source is a Dharma Jewel, containing supreme and wonderful Dharma.
• The Wisdom of Awakened Beings: It flows from the boundless and infinite ocean of wisdom within those who have realised their true nature, a current that never ceases.
• The Infinite Sutra: It comes directly from the Infinite Sutra (The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra), which provides the clear path to becoming a Buddha and achieving rebirth in the Western Pure Land.
• The Buddha-name: It flows from the six-character Buddha-name, the great name of ten thousand virtues, which carries the protective blessings of the Forty-eight Great Vows.

The Path of Transformation

This flow of Dharma water is also sustained by your own commitment to the practice. It comes from deep reflection and sincere repenting within your heart, where you recognise your past faults and resolve to change. It comes from listening to sutras and hearing the Dharma, which allows you to understand the Truth and the Right Way.

Through this process, your karmic creditors can recognise their own suffering. They become willing to resolve their grievances and, in doing so, they receive the magnificent benefits of the Dharma. This transformation is only possible through continuous, active, and persistent practice, which must be maintained until one has realised their true nature.

When the Dharma water flows continuously within your heart, it serves to irrigate the Dharma lineage. This ensures that the Pure Land continues to flourish and extend throughout the universe, bringing light to all beings.

Namo Amituofo