Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
During the second session of the held on February 1, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound teachings regarding the landscape of .
The Body as a Vast Universe
When we speak of the landscape of the body, we are referring to the intricate world that exists within our physical form. You must understand that the body is much like the universe itself. Within this universe, there are countless beings, each living in different forms and states of existence. Just as the vast universe contains infinite spaces and innumerable beings, so too must every part of our being follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Consider the composition of your own body. It is made up of countless cells, a number so vast that it is difficult to calculate. You may view each individual cell as a universe in its own right, containing its own infinite spaces and living beings. The landscape within your body is truly magnificent and complex, encompassing a world of its own.
The Geography of Our Internal World
Within this internal landscape, there exists a complete world that mirrors the outer environment. It is a place filled with diverse features:
Mountains: The muscles of your body, which grow and attach themselves to the skeletal structure, rising up like great peaks from the earth.
The Earth: The entire skeletal system, which serves as the foundation and the ground upon which the body is built.
Rivers: The blood and various bodily fluids that flow throughout, irrigating every part of the body and sustaining the growth of the beings within.
Houses: The internal organs, which serve as dwellings for the various beings that reside within us, allowing the functions of the body to operate smoothly.
Every one of these components—the muscles, tendons, bones, blood, and internal organs—is composed of these tiny, living cells. These cells are the beings that populate your body. Just as beings in the outer world have different shapes, appearances, and lifespans, these cells possess their own unique forms and vital energy.
The Harmony of Health
What does it mean to have a healthy body? A healthy body is a sign that the operations within are functioning in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. When this alignment is present, the cellular beings within you can exist in a state of harmony, calmness, and gentle transition. Your body becomes filled with energy and light, free from the burdens of premature ageing and illness.
The Shadow of Illness
Conversely, when a body suffers from ageing or illness, it is a clear indication that the cellular beings within are living in an environment of dissatisfaction, competition, conflict, and irritability. This internal discord causes the energy of these cells to be depleted, manifesting as a grey, murky, and impure aura. When the body ages rapidly, suffers damage, or deteriorates, it reveals that our Body-Mind-Spirit has deviated from the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. We find ourselves in a situation where are seeking revenge and repaying grievances.
The Importance of Buddhist Education
The landscape of your body is a reflection of your own Body-Mind-Spirit, as well as the state of the larger environment outside of you. It is essential that we learn to live in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This is why Buddhist education is so vital. It is not merely a religion; it is a profound system of learning that teaches us to understand the laws of and cause and effect, the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. By embracing this education, we can transform our internal landscape and return to a state of purity and light.
