A Life of Purification: Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
An Interview with Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha
Recorded on 13 April 2019
The Echoes of a Distracted World
The world is filled with chaos, confusion, and the relentless busyness of daily life. Because of this, everyone has forgotten the moments of true purity. We are so occupied with seeking things externally that we have neglected the rare, pristine clarity that resides within our own true self. When we find a moment of stillness, our hearts can finally experience true coolness and ease. However, because we desire so much from this world, our pure hearts lose their clarity. When we encounter the dust and grime of worldly life, we become complicated, and our actions become burdened by unnecessary concerns.
Consider the price you pay for things you cannot take with you when you leave this world. You labour for the sake of worldly living and the demands of social reality, but have you ever considered the cost? It is a price paid in the currency of the cycle of rebirth—a cost that is difficult to imagine. Everyone carries burdens in their hearts, whether they are ambitious ideals for the future or the active pursuit of desires. You pay a heavy price for these things, but in the end, do they truly hold any lasting value?
The Illusion of Worldly Pursuit
No matter how beautiful or abundant the things of this world may seem, they are all subject to the laws of birth and death. This cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death is an inevitable feature of the cycle of rebirth. People in this world pursue enjoyment, fame, and status, yet they ignore the fact that they are walking directly into the cycle of life and death. Everything they gain will eventually slip away. They do not understand the importance of escaping this cycle. Their thoughts and intentions remain fixated on worldly affairs, unaware that they are sinking deeper into the cycle of rebirth, and their hearts become increasingly impure. They almost entirely lose themselves, unable to see their true self and forgetting that it even exists.
The Path to True Freedom
A life of purification is the key to helping people transcend the cycle of birth and death. It allows your heart to return to its original state of peace, enabling you to rediscover your true self. It does not matter what worldly wealth or status you possess; the only goal that truly matters is to spend this life finding your true self, resolving the cycle of rebirth, and returning to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. A purified person is fundamentally different. They are pure and at ease, with no burdens in their heart. They have truly and completely let go. They can exist beyond suffering and happiness, enjoying a life of the spirit that transcends ordinary worldly existence. Every day becomes an opportunity to elevate one's state, manifest one's innate abilities, and join in the work of saving the world. This is the only way to live a life of true meaning, far surpassing the pursuit of things that cannot be taken with you.
Elevating the Spirit
Through purification, you can elevate your state of being. Much like diligent practice, a life of purification allows you to continuously detach from worldly dust while moving ever closer to the light of your true self. In every moment of , you can realise your true nature, increase your wisdom, and enhance the essence of your spirit. Your true self is capable of knowing all and doing all. By exerting your own abilities, you can join in the work of saving the world and find your . This Body can manifest in countless billions of forms to lead immeasurable and boundless sentient beings. This is the true state of purification—a state that cannot be learned through worldly studies.
The Challenge of Purity
In the midst of purity, one can obtain immeasurable light and wisdom. However, even a small amount of worldly contamination can cover everything in shadow. Achieving purity is not easy, because you must purify yourself until you are completely clean. There cannot be a single trace of worldly attachment in your heart. You must see through the world, understand the principles of wisdom, know how to stay awake, and understand the necessity of letting go. Only then is true purification possible. Finding your true self is easy in theory, but in the eyes of worldly people, it is very difficult because there are too many complex obstacles. In particular, your own personal ego and selfishness are major challenges that must be faced and changed. You must ask yourself: why is it essential to find your true self? It is because this is the only meaningful thing to do in this world.
Taking Charge of Your Life
If you come into this world and do not find your true self, your body will be left to be manipulated by invisible forces. You will be forced to follow the dictates of fate, unable to remain awake, suffering through the torments of birth, aging, sickness, and death. You will be bound by the seven emotions and , with your moods fluctuating between and sorrow. These are the prices people pay for the lives they currently pursue. Anxiety and suffering are buried deep in the heart, difficult to express. People in this world do not understand purity; they only know the reality of worldly society and feel they must struggle for the sake of that reality. But in truth, reality has a deeper, hidden truth—the truth of the cycle of rebirth, which is what everyone should be facing.
How many people in modern society are truly able to take charge of their own lives? How many are truly at peace and free from suffering? They pursue what they want in this world, only to discover in the end that pursuing purity is even more difficult. Your heart should be content and satisfied. Do not let your life be filled with burdens and infinite desires for things that cannot be taken with you. That is truly too exhausting. Pursuing worldly pleasure is not as good as pursuing a life of purity. If you can understand that "nothingness" is superior to "having," then you should come here to purify yourself. Pursuing something that is more enjoyable than mere pleasure is the only true life—a life of spiritual freedom. Namo Amituofo.
Ashvaghosha
This interview message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.
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