The Illusion of Gain and Loss

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Illusion of Possession

Gain and loss are not found in the external world, nor are they determined by what you see before your eyes in the present moment. In truth, these concepts reside entirely within your heart. For the practitioner who has realised the state of no-self and is truly selfless, there is neither gain nor loss. These are merely illusions that cloud our original nature.

When you perceive that you are about to lose something and you begin to grasp at it tightly, you will find that the more you try to hold on, the more you actually lose. Your gains will diminish until they vanish entirely. This happens because the internal process of thinking, comparing, and calculating creates a ripple effect in your consciousness.

The Hidden Burdens of the Mind

This mental activity of grasping and comparing acts as a beacon, attracting various influences that hinder your spiritual progress:

• Karmic creditors: Spirits from your past who come to seek balance for grievances you have caused them.
• Attached spirits: Beings that reside within your body, influencing your thoughts and emotions.
• Demon crowds: Negative forces that manifest when your mind is not aligned with the Right Way.

Therefore, you must learn to let go of the self. You must let go of your physical body, your personal feelings, your perceptions, your attachments, and everything you consider to be yours. As a practitioner, you must realise that you originally possessed nothing; so how can there be anything to lose?

The Struggle Between Understanding and Action

If you can clearly distinguish between the true and the false, the illusory and the real, you will no longer fall into the trap of gain and loss. However, while many practitioners can understand this principle intellectually, they find it impossible to put into practice. Why is this so?

It is because this physical body is often burdened by too many karmic creditors, attached spirits, or negative influences. Even when you know the truth, these forces—seeking revenge or repayment for past grievances—prevent you from acting upon your knowledge. Your own strength is simply insufficient to resist the weight of such heavy karma.

The Path to True Liberation

When you find yourself in this position, you must make a firm vow to sacrifice oneself for others, and to actually put this into practice. Chant one Buddha's name to the end, and under the Buddha's blessings, your vow will begin to manifest its power.

By maintaining a state of mind where you think good thoughts, see the good in all things, speak good words, and perform good deeds, you will be able to give rise to all roots of goodness and achieve the fruit of Bodhi. This practice will provide you with the strength to resist the manifestation of karma, the tests from other beings, and the temptations of negative forces. Only then can you maintain your right practice and continue to move forward on the Buddha's path, in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Namo Amituofo