The Wisdom of Water: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Gentle Flow of Causal Conditions

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, as we make our noon offering, we reflect upon the profound nature of water. To practise the Dharma is to be like water, moving with the natural flow of Causal Conditions rather than forcing our own will upon the world. When you encounter the circumstances of life, do not struggle against them. Instead, learn to follow the current with a heart that is at peace, for this is the essence of true spiritual practice.

Cleansing the Heart and Mind

Just as water has the power to cool the burning heat of the body, it can also extinguish the fires of anger and desire that rage within the mind. When you allow the Dharma to wash over you, it brings a sense of profound coolness and serenity, replacing conflict with harmony. Like water, your practice should serve to wash away the grime of past attachments, leaving your true nature clean, bright, and luminous. This is how one finds the clarity needed to realise the Truth.

Nourishing the Seeds of Life

Water is the fundamental element required for all life to flourish. It nourishes the earth and sustains every living being. Similarly, a practitioner who embodies the qualities of water becomes a source of life for others. You must become a person who is needed by the community, rather than one who is cast aside. Your presence should be a source of nourishment for the spirit, not a cause of depletion. By maintaining a pure and clear appearance, you reflect the light of the Dharma to all those you encounter.

The Softness of a True Practitioner

To practise is to adopt the quality of water: soft, yielding, and never rigid. Do not be like a stone that resists the flow; be like water that finds its way around obstacles with grace. If you choose to swim against the current of the Dharma, you will only create suffering for yourself and others, leading to the disasters of karmic retribution. However, when you embrace the soft and yielding nature of water, you become a vessel for the Dharma. You can be used to sprinkle the nectar of purity upon the world, serving as a great instrument for the benefit of all beings. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, who served as the chief writer.