Conversations with Namo Amituofo on the Cycle of Rebirth
A Discourse from Namo Amituofo
Recorded on July 18, 2017
On the eighteenth of July, 2017, the disciple Shi Faxi bowed with deep reverence and requested the compassionate guidance of the Buddha.
The Unity of All Living Beings
Namo Amituofo began His teachings by pointing to the interconnectedness of all life. Consider the tiny body of an insect or the small frame of a bird. Though they are minuscule, their internal organs are complete and perfectly formed. We are all fundamentally one in essence, sharing the same original nature. It is only our physical forms and the varying causal conditions of our past that create the illusion of difference between us.
When we are reborn, we do not know which family we will enter or what form we will take. We are tossed about within the six realms of existence, drifting through the cycle of rebirth. This cycle is vast and boundless, with no visible end in sight. We continue to wander simply because our past habits are deep and our attachments are strong. Because we cannot untangle these knots, we drink the soup of forgetfulness and continue to revolve through life after life.
The Endless Drama of Samsara
We are like actors performing the same play over and over again. While the time, the place, and the costumes change, the underlying emotions remain identical, and the karmic results are the same. If we do not awaken to our true nature, we will never find a moment of clarity. We may be born into lives of indulgence or chaos, or take the form of insects, worms, or animals. If we become satisfied with these base habits and constantly engage in them, the reality of our spiritual transformation should fill us with profound fear.
The Rare Opportunity of Human Life
It is incredibly rare and precious to obtain a human body in this world. When you look at the world around you, you should feel a sense of and gratitude for your current state. Consider the vastness of existence:
- You are not a crawling insect or a tiny ant.You are not a dog or a cat.You are not a chicken or a duck.You are not a blade of grass or a flower.You are not an inanimate object or a part of the myriad things that lack the capacity for conscious practice.
You have truly obtained a human body, which is the perfect vessel for practice. Because this body is complete, your potential for spiritual attainment is full and perfect. If you practise to leave behind the dust of the world, you will realise that in your past lives, you were also human. The cycle of rebirth causes us to forget our past, and we are reborn in different places, much like an actor changing costumes. Our spiritual nature remains the same, but because we are adorned with different appearances, we fail to see our original face. We mistake the false for the true and perform our roles in this play with misplaced sincerity.
Returning to the Light of Namo Amituofo
When we become deeply attached to these roles, we pay the price in karmic consequences. We often weep until our hearts break, finding it difficult to return to our original, wise nature. As your Buddha, I have witnessed your journey through countless lifetimes. I have always been here, waiting for you. When you finally lift your head and look upon My face, I will surely greet you with a compassionate smile. I will never ask you to account for your past; I will only offer you My compassionate warmth and welcome you home.
I know everything. I see all things clearly, and I have never wavered in My commitment to you. Because I understand the principle of emptiness and the Truth that lies within it, and because I uphold the Law of Cause and Effect without ever holding onto it in My heart, I see no difference between beings. Even the smallest ant has the potential for achievement. The human world is the best place for practice, so do not waste your time. You must rely on the True Teachings, acting in accordance with the . Transform your habits of rebirth into the causes of Buddhahood. I speak these words today in the hope that you will awaken from the cycle of rebirth. The Buddha’s teachings are supreme and wonderful; I long for the day of your return.
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.
Namo Amituofo
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library