During -Mind-Spirit seminar and the held in Yilan, on the seventh day during the second session, offered profound teachings on the nature of our lives. We often view our existence as solid and permanent, yet it is truly like a dream. Within this dream, we are constantly born and die, caught in a cycle of suffering. We struggle merely to survive, and even after death, our attachments remain unchanged. This is the fundamental nature of the cycle of rebirth.
Namo Amituofo provides this discourse:
Ghostly spirits receive our reverence, in folk beliefs and rites, A prayer offered in faith, a power held in hearts so tight, Yet little do they know, this is but a path within the ghost realm's light. Life is but a dream, a cycle of birth and death we tread, Striving only for survival, with attachments following the dead, Without a physical form, one dwells where the ghost realm is spread. It is the same as human life, just a different state of being, One in the shadow, one in the light, both worlds are slowly fleeing. Though separated by yin and yang, each has its space for living, Humans and ghosts walk different paths, yet both need the grace of forgiving. For both should seek the of Ultimate Bliss, the goal of all, Yet now in reincarnation, they struggle as the shadows fall. Know that all beings are on the same path, though spaces may divide, We are all together in this universe, with nowhere left to hide. Only through can we depart, only through realisation can we know the pain, to the Western Pure Land is the only way to break the chain. All beings must awaken now, do not linger in the human or ghost realm's sway. Namo Amituofo.
The Reality of the Ghost Realm
Many people in society engage in folk beliefs, offering prayers and showing respect to ghosts and deities. They believe that these prayers carry a powerful force of protection or blessing. However, they do not realise that such practices are often merely interactions within the ghost realm. When a person passes away without having let go of their worldly attachments, they do not necessarily move on to a higher state of existence. Instead, they may find themselves in the ghost realm. Their life there is remarkably similar to the life they led as humans, with the only difference being the dimension in which they reside. One exists in the realm of light, while the other exists in the realm of shadow.
The Shared Path of All Beings
It is a common misconception that the human world and the ghost realm are entirely separate and unrelated. In truth, both humans and beings in the ghost realm are on the same path. Although they occupy different spaces, they are fundamentally connected. We must understand that all beings, whether human or spirit, are currently trapped in the cycle of rebirth. The primary goal for all beings should be to transcend these lower realms, and the ultimate destination for every being is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Because we do not see the hidden causes behind our lives, we often feel isolated. However, we are all together in this vast universe, and we all share the same potential for liberation.
The Ultimate Path to Liberation
How can we truly leave suffering behind and find happiness? Awakening is the only way to escape this cycle. Only through true awakening can one realise the depth of the suffering we endure. We must recognise that the most effective and ultimate method for salvation is through the process of Chao Du, which guides beings to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is time for all beings to wake up from the dream of worldly existence. Do not remain lost or obsessed with the human world or the ghost realm. Instead, focus your heart and mind on the path of the Buddha, for this is the only way to achieve true and lasting peace. Namo Amituofo.
This discourse was recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi.
