The life of your spirit is without beginning and without end. In this beginningless and endless expanse, you have traversed a history defined by the cycle of reincarnation. You have endured immense hardship and profound sorrow, drifting through the currents of existence. For countless lifetimes, you have been tossed within the fires of suffering, enduring the relentless heat of worldly attachments. How many times have you felt the turbulent waves of your own heart, unable to find a moment of true peace or stillness? You may wonder when this cycle will finally cease, and when you will truly find the serenity you seek.
To find this peace, you must learn to let go. When your heart is free from even the slightest stain of attachment, and when you no longer carry the heavy burdens of worldly concern, you will be able to see the . The light of the Pure Land is infinite and eternal; it is the original face of all beings. Yet, in our current state, we have allowed the cycle of reincarnation to become our constant companion, and the six realms of existence to become our home.
The Weight of Our Past
We have spent countless lifetimes wandering through these various realms, moving from one world to another, constantly changing our form. Though the outer appearance of the spirit may change, the essence remains trapped in the same cycle. Within this process, we are caught in the laws of and cause and effect, where beings consume one another in a relentless struggle for survival. It continues to grow and consume beings without pause. In this constant competition and grasping, we have created an immeasurable amount of karma.
Everything you have experienced throughout your many lives—every thought, every action, and every intention—is stored, without the loss of even a single detail, within your . This storehouse of karmic seeds dictates the conditions of your current life and the path you will walk in the future.
The Path of Purification
However, there is a way to transcend this cycle. Through the diligent practice of purification, you can begin to change your destiny. This path involves several essential practices: listen to sutras and hear the , and chant with unwavering sincerity and without interruption.
As you engage in these practices, your spirit will transform from a state of confusion to one of . Your body-mind-spirit will gradually find liberation. The impurities that have clouded your vision will be replaced by pure wisdom. This is the process of transforming into wisdom, allowing the Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom to manifest within you. When your entire being radiates with this inner light, you have successfully turned suffering into liberation. Your Buddha-nature is revealed, and you finally see your true nature.
The Radiance of the True Self
Your true self is firm, immovable, and perfectly pure. It is untainted by the world and lacks nothing. It exists eternally, complete with all virtues and dignity. Once you have realised your true nature, you will walk through the world, the six realms of existence, and the entire Dharma Realm with a new purpose. You will dedicate yourself to teaching and saving all beings, helping them leave suffering behind, rediscover their own true nature, and find their way to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This work of is endless, continuing for as long as there are beings in need of rescue.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
