Unravelling the Mystery of the Self: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Illusion of the Physical Form

How can we untangle the thousand knots within our hearts? The only way is to see through the illusion of the self and learn to let go. We often cling to this physical body as if it were permanent, yet it is merely a transient vessel composed of the four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind. We now understand that these elements are themselves composed of countless sentient beings—the cells that make up our very existence.

Within this body, there are countless cells, each distinct and unique. If we search for the self among these myriad cells, we are left to wonder: which one is truly me? Is it the bone cell? Is it the blood cell? Is it the muscle cell? When we look at our eyes, our thoughts, or our desire for sleep, we must ask: is this truly me? The answer is both yes and no.

The Complexity of the Self

It is not me, because no two cells are identical; each possesses its own unique consciousness and intent. Yet, it is me, because these countless cells have gathered together to form this body, a union born from the Causal Conditions of our parents. The components of this body—our bones, our blood, the cells of The Head—originated from both parents before developing into individual, independent cells. Each cell is like a human body in miniature; it has a life, but it is also subject to decay and destruction.

The master of each cell is the true self residing within it, which is composed of the Alaya consciousness. The spirit and the heart exist together. When the cellular body eventually decays and dies, the spirit and the heart move on to their next destination. This may be the human world, the animal realm, the hells, the ghost realm, the heavenly realms, or the realm of the asuras.

The Pain of Separation

When a cell dies, it signifies the end of the life of that particular part of the body. The spirits residing within these cells, or other beings—such as our karmic creditors, spiritual attachments, or demon crowds—often carry deep-seated resentment. When the body is about to perish, these beings are squeezed out through the pores of the skin. This process, known as the elements separate, is as painful as being cut by a thousand knives.

Since each cell is both me and not me, we must ask: who is it that gets angry? Who is it that eats, sleeps, or speaks? In truth, it is a specific group of cells within the body that is eating; it is the entire body, including the internal organs, that is resting; and it is another group of cells that is speaking. Whether these cells function well, or whether they fall ill, is entirely influenced by the sentient beings residing within them.

Transforming Consciousness into Wisdom

The true self is our self-nature. Before we reach Awakening, our consciousness is governed by the Alaya consciousness. However, when we succeed in transforming consciousness into wisdom—specifically, the Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom—we reach the moment of Awakening. At that time, all the cells of the body also transform their consciousness into wisdom and see their true nature.

When this occurs, the cells of the body, the spirit, and the self become one. They merge into a state where every cell and every spirit becomes transparent, pure, and luminous. This, and only this, is the true self. We must strive to reach this state of clarity, where the illusion of the separate ego dissolves into the infinite light of Namo Amituofo.

Namo Amituofo.

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