Suffering and Happiness are Borne Alone

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, Chief writer: Venerable HaiZe.

December 10, 2022

The Solitude of Our Journey

Whether it is the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, or the joys and sorrows that define our lives, every experience you encounter is ultimately a solitary journey. We come into this world alone, and we depart from it alone. We arrive by ourselves, and we leave by ourselves. In the end, the suffering and the happiness you experience must be borne by you alone. No one can take your place, and no one can carry your burden for you.

The Illusion of Choice

If you could truly be the master of your own suffering and happiness, would you ever choose to suffer? Of course, you would choose happiness. However, when you cannot be the master of your own life, you do not want to choose suffering, yet it finds you anyway. Happiness, meanwhile, seems to drift further away. This is the reality of not being able to take charge of one's own destiny.

The Weight of Karma

Before one reaches the state of an awakened being, it is often one's karma and karmic creditors that take the lead. They act according to the laws of karma and cause and effect, manifesting through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death to settle old debts and grievances. Truly, the suffering and happiness we face are ours alone to bear; there is no one who can substitute for us.

Awakening to True Mastery

Only by realising your true self can you truly become the master of your life. When your true self guides your physical body, you can carry out the actions that your original nature intends. At this point, your Body-Mind-Spirit becomes perfectly coordinated, moving forward in total harmony. You will then be able to achieve the great work of saving the world and rescuing infinite suffering beings. Namo Amituofo.