The Radiance of Compassion

Teachings by the Teacher, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

9 August 2026

Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

Compassion can emanate a natural radiance from the heart, and this radiance can illuminate the hearts of beings.

Within this radiance are the Wisdom of compassion, the energy of compassion, and the language and actions of compassion.

A compassionate smile arises because one sees the suffering of beings, naturally manifesting various compassionate hearts and actions, causing those who see and hear it to arise with gratitude and respect.

In the Five Turbidities and Evil World, people are often unaware and unawakened, frequently unable to see their own suffering;

even if they see their own suffering, they cannot see the suffering of others.

To prevent themselves from being infringed upon by others, they form self-protection, like a solid fortress, wanting to protect themselves from being hurt.

Consequently, people cannot see the suffering of beings, and even less can they arise to help others leave suffering behind, resolve the suffering of beings, or bring beings the liberation and happiness of leaving suffering behind.

Therefore, compassion is difficult to encounter and rare to see.

And in practice, it is therefore rare for one to achieve oneself for the sake of helping beings leave suffering behind.

Those who achieve themselves for the sake of helping beings leave suffering behind are great wise persons, and they are becoming increasingly rare. Most people enter practice because of their own suffering, seeking liberation.

After practising, through the guidance of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, patriarchs and venerable masters, those who have realised their true nature, and Venerables, one gradually comes to see the suffering of beings. After purification, one's own compassionate heart gradually manifests, and only then is one willing to let go of self-protection and open oneself up.

There is a prerequisite for helping others with compassion.

Compassion needs Wisdom as a prerequisite; the dual operation of compassion and Wisdom is what can truly resolve the suffering of beings, bring happiness to beings, and simultaneously elevate one's own spirit.

If one's Body, Speech, and Mind of compassion lead to the degradation of one's own spirit or regression in practice, this is not the true meaning of compassion, but rather an improper, unwise, and even foolish action.

Lacking willpower, lacking meditative concentration, and only seeking to satisfy or fill one's own deficiencies—this is for the sake of the self, not for a believer in the Buddha.

If one is a believer in the Buddha, one should exert all effort to follow in the footsteps of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, without being tainted by any stirring of the heart.

Without any stirring of the heart, one will not cause the degradation of the spirit, but rather elevate the spirit, emitting the radiance of compassion; this is the true meaning of practice.

Namo Amituofo