True Freedom and the Path to Awakening

The Illusion of Freedom

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

People always yearn for a life of freedom, a heart that is stable and at peace, and an existence free from the burden of afflictions. Yet, in the very pursuit of this ideal, we often bind ourselves with layer upon layer of invisible shackles. These chains are difficult to untie, and they prevent us from moving forward on the path of liberation. We find ourselves trapped by the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death. This process causes our true self—which is inherently free, cool, and devoid of worry—to become heavy, helpless, and filled with sorrow. We spend our days chasing external validation and attempting to satisfy the endless cravings of our desires.

The Weight of Collective Karma

This state of being is what we call our Collective Karma. It is the influence that the vast environment exerts upon the individual, which then manifests as our own individual karma. Within this grand environment, we each encounter different experiences and face unique situations. However, no matter how varied these lives may seem, they are all inseparable from the inevitable fate of birth, aging, sickness, death, as well as the ongoing cycle of reincarnated life. If you wish to find true freedom, you must look within and rediscover your true self.

The Necessity of Self-Reflection

At this moment, you must be willing to stop and pause your busy life. In the midst of your practice, you must clearly recognise your current situation and understand how to resolve the conflict and dissolve these present difficulties. As you walk the path of practice, you may find yourself in the following states:

• The struggle with personality:
• You know that you must change personality traits, yet you find it difficult to do so. Sometimes, you are not even able to see your own flaws.The challenge of diligent practice:
• You know that you must engage in diligent practice, yet you become drowsy and frequently enter other spiritual spaces, resulting in no real progress.The difficulty of letting go:
• You know that you must let go of attachments to gain progress, yet you remain unwilling to release them, holding on tightly to what you should abandon.The challenge of making vows: You know that you must make a sincere vow, yet you fear that you will not be able to fulfil it, or you do not truly understand the nature of suffering and thus cannot generate a sincere and earnest vow.

Overcoming Obstacles Through Practice

Despite these challenges, you must continue to change personality traits and maintain your diligent practice to overcome being drowsy and the interference of other spiritual spaces. If you do not let go of your attachments, the problems will persist, and you will remain stagnant. Even if you fear you cannot fulfil your vows, you must still make them and work step by step to complete them through diligent practice. All of this requires you to be serious, to be mindful, and to face your problems with a determination to break through.

The Path to True Liberation

Under the compassionate and earnest counseling of the Buddha and Practitioner Su, you must work diligently to cultivate your life. You should:

• Ground your practice:
• Perform your daily practice with sincerity and consistency.Kneel and repent:
• Regularly kneel before the Buddha to repent for your past mistakes and clear your karmic obstacles.Cultivate a soft heart:
• Approach your practice with a gentle and humble heart, rather than one filled with arrogance.Develop strength: Use a firm and courageous spirit to overcome being drowsy and the distractions of other spiritual spaces.

Only by doing these things can you reach the day of becoming an awakened being and attain true freedom. Namo Amituofo.