The Heart's Inquiry: Teachings on Suffering and Awakening
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
The Reality of Human Suffering
If you ask why must endure such profound suffering, look no further than the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death that manifests before your very eyes. When pain becomes unbearable, the heart suffers in tandem. You may perceive the presence of manifesting within your own body, seeking to balance the debts of the past. This suffering is not arbitrary; it is the direct result of past actions where we caused others to experience pain in body and mind. Now, the laws of and cause and effect have matured, and the resulting retribution manifests within this physical form, causing us to suffer greatly.
The Difficulty of True Repentance
Many practitioners attempt to repent for their past deeds, yet they find that their efforts are often superficial. True repentance requires a heart of absolute sincerity, yet because the grievances held by karmic creditors are so deep, it is difficult for them to release their past hatred. How, then, can one truly appease these spirits and find a path to resolution? It is a heavy burden to carry, and without the right guidance, the cycle of resentment continues unabated.
The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang
Fortunately, Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. Through the power of , the temple provides a sanctuary where sentient beings can be saved and helped to leave suffering behind. With the teachings provided by Namo Amituofo and the clear explanations offered by Practitioner Su, one can finally understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. When the heart becomes calm and clear, it is possible to soothe the resentment held within. By letting go of the past and accepting the grace of Chao Du, one can resolve the deep-seated illnesses of both body and spirit.
The Illusory Nature of the World
If you ask where to find the ultimate truth, you need only come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to realise it. All worldly phenomena are merely illusory, existing only within the realm of birth and death. When Causal Conditions arise, things come together; when those conditions fade away, they disperse. When conditions are present, the illusory world appears; when they vanish, the illusion disappears. Only by reaching the state of an awakened being can one perceive the true reality beneath these shifting appearances.
to the True Self
The path of practice and purification is the journey to rediscover your true self. This true self is not something to be created; it is something that has been present from the very beginning. It is eternal, unchanging, and ever-present. It possesses no birth and no death, and it is inherently complete. Within this true self, there is no suffering, for one has attained total autonomy. There is no worry or vexation, only the profound, cool clarity of the original nature. Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library