The State of Being Truly Pure and White

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe. During the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on 7 January 2022, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound insights on the nature of the awakened heart.

The Path to Absolute Truth

To be truly pure and white is to reach the pinnacle of spiritual clarity. What does it mean to be true? It means to be entirely free from all falsehoods. In our daily lives, we are often caught in the web of illusions, mistaking the temporary for the permanent. To walk the path of the practitioner, one must courageously shed the false self and embrace the true self. This is not merely being true; it is being truly true—the truth within the truth, the core of your being that remains untouched by the cycle of rebirth.

The Radiance of Purity and Goodness

Pure represents the state of absolute cleanliness, a state where the mind is no longer clouded by the Five Poisons. White signifies a state devoid of any contamination, representing the manifestation of pure Goodness. When your heart is truly pure and white, it is like a light that shines through everything, untainted by the dust of the world. It is a state of being that is transparent, luminous, and filled with the wisdom of the Buddha.

The Mirror of Self-Reflection

However, you may ask: how can one maintain this state in a world filled with distractions? If there is even a hint of darkness, shadow, or impurity within your heart, it often happens that you yourself are unable to perceive it. You are too close to your own habits and biases. Yet, others can often see these flaws clearly. This is why you must constantly reflect upon your actions and examine your heart with the utmost sincerity. You must be diligent in your practice to change your ways, correcting your mistakes, and removing any stains of impurity that may have gathered over countless lifetimes.

Returning to Your Original Nature

Truly pure and white is the hearts and actions of a dedicated practitioner. It is the very sign of one who has realised their true nature as an awakened being within the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. When your heart is truly sincere and free from all defilements, your original nature is revealed. It is clean, without a single speck of dust, and it shines with a brilliant, translucent light that gives birth to wisdom. This state of being—truly pure and white—is your original, natural state, the state you possessed before you became lost in the cycle of samsara. By returning to this state, you find your way home to Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo