The Radiance of the Body: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The halo of light that surrounds the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is a profound symbol of their absolute brilliance, purity, and perfect Goodness. This light is not merely an external adornment; it is the natural manifestation of a heart that has been completely cleansed of all defilements.

The Manifestation of Inner Purity

The radiance of the body, the light that emanates from within a human being, serves as a direct reflection of the quality of one's Body-Mind-Spirit. The brighter this light, the more it indicates that the quality of one's Body-Mind-Spirit has correspondingly ascended. Those whose body light is crystal clear and luminous indicate that their Body-Mind-Spirit is in a state of high quality. The higher the quality of the halo, the more one feels the fullness of its energy. It is the auspicious physical manifestation of a practitioner’s virtue and the perfect, pure Goodness of their Body-Mind-Spirit. It is manifested by Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, ancestral masters, those who have realised their true nature, and those who practise in purity.

Seeing Beyond the Physical

The radiance of the body can only be perceived by those with open eyes. Although the average person may not be able to see it with their physical eyes, it can be discerned through their speech, conduct, and the depth of their spiritual cultivation. A person who is truly pure will naturally exhibit a calm, compassionate, and wise presence that speaks louder than any words.

The Shadow of Heavy Karma

For beings trapped in the Three Evil Realms, their body light appears grey and dim, or is even absent or faint; this is a sign of a turbid, heavy state burdened by heavy karma. Wherever the spirit resides, it naturally sinks and descends, falling into the Three Evil Realms: the hells, the realm of hungry ghosts, or the animal realm.

The Path of Ascent

Nurturing one's body light, cultivating one's character through practice, and removing defilements to attain purity are matters of great importance. As the spirit ascends, wherever it resides, it naturally moves upward into the Good realms. Generally speaking, the destination of the spirit is indicated by the light: entering white light represents entering the human world; entering yellow light represents entering the Celestial Realm; and entering golden light represents entering the Buddha's path or the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. Of all the destinations for the spirit, the golden light is the most noble! It is the ultimate goal of every practitioner to cultivate such a light, ensuring that when the time comes, they may return to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss to be with Namo Amituofo. Let us all work diligently to polish our inner light, so that we may live in accordance with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Namo Amituofo