The Path of Right Awakening

The Essence of Rightness

On December 1, 2019, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held in Australia, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound guidance on the nature of Right Awakening. To understand what is truly right, one must first understand the Truth. To walk in accordance with the Truth is to be correct and without error; this is the definition of being right. It is a state of being that is neither biased nor crooked, remaining firmly on the Middle Way. You must be vigilant, ensuring that not even a single thread of wrong knowledge or incorrect views is allowed to take root in your heart. If there is even a minute stain of bias or partiality within your heart, it becomes incredibly difficult to remain on the righteous path.

The Light of Awakening

What, then, is awakening? It is to be enlightened and never lost in the fog of delusion. It is the very path that leads to the fruition of the Buddha's path. When the mind is empty and free from the constraints of external environments, one realises their true self. This is the path of an awakened being. You must maintain this awareness at all times and in every place. By doing so, you can effectively remove the obstacles of delusion that have long clouded your vision. When these barriers are finally cleared, the true reality of all things becomes clear and distinct, and you will see the world as it truly is.

The Essential Path to Buddhahood

Right Awakening is the essential path that one must traverse to learn from the Buddha and eventually become a Buddha. It is not merely a concept to be studied, but a state of being to be lived. Many people in this world have become deeply accustomed to living under the influence of their own personalities, ingrained habits, and limited ways of thinking. They are lost in the false appearances that these things create, mistaking the shadow for the substance. Because of this, their original awareness and true self are obscured, which in turn invites endless suffering and harm into their lives. You must realise the importance of awakening now; do not let another moment pass while you remain lost in these illusions. It is time to wake up and return to the purity of your original nature.

This message of guidance was written by the chief writer, the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.