The Radiance of Dignity: Teachings by Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

During the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held in Australia in 2019, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided a series of profound teachings on the nature of dignity. This concept of dignity is not merely an external appearance but a reflection of the inner state of a practitioner who has aligned their life with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

The Blossoming of the Heart and Countenance

When your heart is dignified, everything you see becomes beautiful. You begin to perceive all beings and all things as manifestations of the Buddha. This is the result of a mind that has been purified of greed, anger, and ignorance. When your appearance is dignified, you naturally manifest compassion and auspicious characteristics. By learning from the Buddha and walking the path to become a Buddha, your countenance begins to reflect the Buddha's own serenity, inspiring peace in all who encounter you.

The Unshakable Discipline of the Spirit

When your body is dignified, you have cleansed your past actions of all impurities. Your conduct becomes as steady and immovable as a mountain, reflecting the true discipline of a practitioner who is no longer swayed by the five desires. When your spirit is dignified, it becomes like a fragrant lotus, luminous and crystal clear. You move freely between realms, always finding yourself in a place of cool, refreshing peace, unburdened by the heavy chains of samsara.

The Threefold Dignity of the True Self

The dignity of the Buddha nature within you arises when you let go of the grasping mind. In this state of emptiness, the wisdom of Prajna shines forth, and you realise the truth of no-self, awakening to your original, unified state. The dignity of the Dharma of the true self is found when you see that all phenomena arise from your own nature. Through the True Teachings and the Truth, you gain the wisdom to understand all things, seeing through the illusions of the world.

The dignity of the Sangha of the true self is manifested when your pure spirit enters this defiled world to save others. You help them leave behind their impurities and turn their hearts toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the ultimate expression of compassion, as you dedicate your life to the work of saving endless suffering beings.

A Sanctuary Resonating with Infinite Light

The dignity of the temple and its sacred grounds creates an environment of infinite peace and harmony. Here, the Buddha-name of Namo Amituofo fills the very air, resonating throughout the void. It is a sanctuary where the light of Namo Amituofo truly abides, providing a space for all practitioners to return to their true self. May we all strive to embody this dignity in every thought, word, and action, ensuring that our journey leads us directly to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This teaching was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo