Transforming the Environment: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

These teachings were recorded by Venerable HaiZe during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on September 4, 2021. In this discourse, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provides essential guidance on the art of transforming one's environment.

The Heart of the Awakened Being

Do not be swayed by the environment; instead, learn to transform it. When your heart remains constantly at peace, cool, and tranquil, you are truly living as a wise person. This is the heart of a wise person, the heart of one who has realised their true nature. To reach this state, one must cultivate a mind that is not easily disturbed by the shifting tides of the external world.

Cultivating Compassion in Daily Life

Before you have fully realised your true nature, do not be quick to judge right from wrong. Everyone stands in a different position, and their perspectives are shaped by their own unique karmic conditions. Therefore, you should treat others with compassion, gentleness, and an inclusive heart. Do not force your views upon others, and do not dwell on the faults of others. If you allow your own heart to become defiled by judgment, you will never see the pure reality of the world. Instead, you will only sink deeper into a world of impurity, hearing only discord and seeing only defilement. In such a state, you are drifting further and further away from your original, true self.

The Depth of Your Practice

The true depth of your practice is revealed the moment you encounter challenges in your environment. It is here that the level of your spiritual progress becomes clear. This is not about comparing yourself to others, but about naturally knowing and understanding the state of your own heart. When you face adversity, do you react with anger, or do you remain steady?

The Art of Letting Go

The skill of letting go with a simple smile allows your heart to become completely empty of burdens. By casting all defilements into that single smile, you release the weight of the world. When the heart is empty and free of all burdens, you have truly mastered the art of transforming the environment. This is the path to freedom. Namo Amituofo.