Before one receives the benefit of the Buddha’s teachings, life is often lived in a state of profound confusion. We struggle to survive in society, working tirelessly to ensure our families live comfortable lives. In doing so, we become deeply entangled in the pursuit of the : wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
As we pursue these fleeting goals, we inadvertently allow the to grow within us: Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. These poisons harden our personal ego and habits, making us feel as though our opinions and desires are untouchable and absolute. We spend our entire lives competing with others, constantly comparing our achievements, and seeking to secure a place for ourselves in a world that is inherently impermanent.
The Endless Cycle of Rebirth
Because of this constant competition and attachment, we find ourselves trapped in the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. We drift through the six realms of rebirth, life after life, caught in a relentless cycle of settling debts, seeking revenge, or repaying kindness. It is a life defined by the and the causes and effects that we have sown ourselves.
However, once we accept the Buddha’s teachings, we begin to see the truth. We realise that everything we previously experienced was merely an illusory story, a play of karmic conditions. We come to understand that we arrive in this world with nothing, and we depart with nothing. This realisation should spark a significant transformation in our hearts. It is the only way to change the trajectory of our lives, to transform our , and to finally live in a state of true, lasting peace.
The Purpose of Practice
The true purpose of leaving the home life to practise is to rediscover our true self / self-nature. Once we find this true self, everything becomes transparent and clear. We can look back at our past problems with a calm heart, understanding them fully and finding the answers we once lacked. This is the fundamental method for resolving the cycle of birth and death once and for all.
Before we have fully reclaimed our true self / self-nature, we must understand why we came into this world. Only then can we prescribe the right medicine for our spiritual ailments and move forward with unwavering focus. We must first learn to let go of the false self. We must release our attachment to our physical body, our possessions, our , and our external appearance. These are all merely combinations of elements, governed by karmic conditions and the laws of karma and cause and effect.
The True and Eternal Self
By letting go of this false self and refusing to cling to it, we can finally see through the illusory nature of all phenomena. Once we perceive the truth and recognise our own true face, we can then use this physical body as a tool for genuine practice. We can elevate our spirits and find our way back to our true self / self-nature, which is the only real and eternal version of ourselves.
The true self / self-nature within us is inherently pure and free. It is stable, unshakable, and completely beyond the control of karmic rebirth. It possesses infinite Wisdom (Prajna), virtue, and auspicious characteristics. When we reside in this true self / self-nature, we can solve the problems we encounter in our daily lives. More importantly, we can help those who are still lost in the illusory world, suffering without a way out. We can guide them to see their own true self / self-nature and find their authentic selves.
The Mission of Saving Beings
It is only through diligent practice and purification that we can reclaim our true self / self-nature and fulfil our vow to save the world and all beings. This work of saving beings never ceases; it is a task to be performed at every moment. The beings we help are not strangers; they have all been our family members, our dear friends, or our in past lives. Our mission is to help them find the eternal exit from this cycle of suffering: the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. .
