Washing Away the Worldly Veneer

The Art of Simplicity

During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, we are given the precious opportunity to pause and reflect on the state of our own hearts. In these teachings, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju reminds us of the necessity of returning to our most authentic selves. To wash away the worldly veneer is a metaphor for stripping away the complex layers of vanity, worldly adornments, and the masks we wear to hide our true selves from the world.

In the past, lead and powder were used as cosmetics to decorate the face. Today, we use these metaphors to describe the superficial layers of our lives: our status, our fine clothing, our social masks, and the elaborate stories we construct to protect our egos. When we choose to live as simple, unadorned individuals, we are not merely changing our appearance. We are choosing to reveal a refreshing, honest, and genuine face to the world. We are choosing to be the real version of ourselves, free from the heavy burden of performance.

Seeing with the Heart

How do we judge the value of another person? Those who truly understand the nature of reality do not place much importance on external appearances or eloquent speech. These are merely reference points, fleeting and unreliable. The true essence of a person lies within their heart. When we make the heart the primary focus of our perception, we finally begin to see the true face of the individual standing before us.

However, most people in this world are lost in the cycle of confusion. They struggle to see their own hearts clearly, and because they cannot find peace within, they rely on external decorations to cover their inner vulnerabilities and weaknesses. They fear that if they were to remove these masks, they would be seen as insufficient or fragile. Yet, this is precisely where the path of the practitioner begins.

The Path of the Practitioner

For those of us who have chosen to follow the Buddha, the work is deeper and more urgent. We are not only called to "see through" and "let go" of the past, but we must also actively wash away the worldly veneer from our own hearts. We must examine the parts of ourselves that are superficial, false, exaggerated, or hypocritical.

By engaging in diligent practice to cleanse these impurities, we finally reveal our original, true face. This is a state of being that is simple, powerful, and profoundly fulfilling. It is a state of Dharma joy, where one feels complete and lacking nothing, because one has finally returned to the true self.

Returning to the Original Nature

It is important to recognise that external pollution and vanity are relatively easy to see and, therefore, easier to change. We can change our clothes, our habits, and our social circles. However, the internal pollution—the deep-seated habits of the mind—is much harder to perceive. These inner shadows are hidden from our own view.

To truly wash away these internal stains, we must rely on diligent practice. Only through consistent, sincere effort can we uncover the layers of the ego and find our way back to the original nature. This is the ultimate goal of our practice: to strip away the false until only the pure, enlightened heart remains. Namo Amituofo.