The Path of Truly Letting Go

The Path to Unburdening the Heart

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on 10 October 2021. To truly let go is a profound undertaking that must begin within the depths of your heart. You must first cultivate a deep understanding of the laws of karma and cause and effect. It is essential to grasp the fundamental principles of the Dharma, for without this wisdom, your practice will lack the necessary direction. When you finally realise your true nature and become an awakened being, you will perceive the ultimate truth: that while all things appear empty, they simultaneously contain the entirety of existence. This is the state of mind where you no longer think, no longer ponder, and no longer dwell upon the illusions of this world.

Releasing the Chains of Worldly Affection

What does it mean to truly let go? It means you must be willing to release the things that hold the most power over your heart. These are the attachments that bind you most tightly to the cycle of rebirth. You must examine your life and identify the following areas where your heart remains entangled:

• Your deepest affections: This includes the people or pets you love most dearly and those you worry about constantly.
• Sensory cravings: This includes your favourite foods, specific tastes, and the habits you have developed around them.
• Emotional entanglements: This refers to romantic feelings and the physical or emotional attraction between men and women.
• Mental burdens: These are the people or situations that cause you the most anxiety, concern, or lingering thoughts.
• Family ties: This includes your deep-seated attachments to your spouse, children, and other family members.
• The Five Desires: These are the cravings for wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep.
• The Five Poisons: These are the destructive forces of greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt.

Cultivating the Serene Mind

In this current stage of your practice, you must resolve to let go of all these attachments. Do not touch them with your mind, do not think of them, and do not let them linger in your thoughts. Any form of attachment or the inability to let go acts as a heavy obstacle, creating a barrier that prevents you from making progress in your spiritual journey. These attachments are nothing more than hindrances that cloud your original nature.

The Radiant Light of Namo Amituofo

Instead of dwelling on these worldly matters, you must keep the Buddha-name, Namo Amituofo, in your heart at all times. If you are not chanting, you should be reciting the sutras. By choosing not to touch, not to think, and not to dwell on the distractions of the world, you maintain the purity of your heart. This is the essence of a clean and focused mind. When you are fiercely diligent in your practice and finally reach the state of an awakened being, you will naturally possess the wisdom and capability to guide others. Only then will your family members and all those connected by karmic affinity have the true opportunity to be saved and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Namo Amituofo.