Death, Not Death: A Reflection on the Eternal Spirit

Life is a tapestry woven with joy and sorrow, meetings and partings. We often ask ourselves: when will the worries end, and when will true happiness arrive? These experiences are merely echoes of the past, drifting away like clouds. We pass through the vibrant years of youth, the wild ambitions of our early days, the pursuit of ideals, and the achievements of middle age. We reach the peak of our lives, only to find that time eventually takes its toll. Our bodies grow frail, our energy wanes, and though we may leave behind a name, we must eventually depart this world alone.

The Taboo of the Final Journey

We are taught that birth, old age, sickness, and death are the natural stages of human life. Some may only experience birth, sickness, and death, while others may only know birth and death. Regardless of the path, no one can escape the reality of death. Yet, for most people in this world, the word 'death' is a taboo. It is avoided in conversation, treated as a harbinger of misfortune, and shrouded in fear. Because people fear the end—the cessation of life and the pain of separation—they dare not speak of it. This ignorance of what lies beyond only deepens the panic and helplessness of the human condition. Consequently, most people spend their lives avoiding any mention of death. But does avoiding the topic change the outcome? We must eventually face the end of our lives, for the physical body will always reach its limit.

The Eternal Nature of the Spirit

However, you must realise that beyond the decay of the physical body, there exists an eternal, indestructible spirit—what the world calls the soul. This spirit is the true, authentic you, without any fabrication or imitation. At the very moment your breath ceases, this physical shell loses all connection to your spirit. It leaves behind only the karmic consequences of the actions you have taken, and you must bear the full weight of those results.

While you are still alive in this world, possessing a physical body, you have a precious opportunity to prepare for your destination after death. If you do not wish to fall into the hells, become a lonely wandering spirits, or be reborn in the animal realm, you must begin to practise diligently today. Your goal must be fixed firmly on rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Pitfalls of Modern Practice

Many practitioners today have lost their way. They have become adrift, unsure of how to truly achieve rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. They follow conventional methods of arduous practice, yet they struggle to find the right path:

• Some chant the name of the Buddha thousands or tens of thousands of times, day and night, yet they still cannot overcome the instability of the mind at the moment of death.
• Some engage in endless prostrations, attend Dharma Assembly after Dharma Assembly, and perform countless rituals.
• Yet, these efforts often yield no true joy or spiritual resonance.
• Instead, they find themselves exhausted, their bodies burdened by infinitely layered spirits, and the magnificent joy of the Buddha’s teachings is lost in the monotony of empty rituals.

So, how should one truly practise? How does one learn the Buddha’s teachings to ensure that at the time of death, one can successfully attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? Before I answer, you must believe one thing: I, Zhao Puchu, have not yet attained rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. However, there are those in this world who truly possess the ability to use the Dharma Body to guide the spirit to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This may seem unbelievable, as it is a rare occurrence, but I, Zhao Puchu, have truly encountered it and have benefited from it.

A Gateway to the Western Land

If you are willing to believe this, you are a person of tremendous blessing, for your future can be saved. I encourage you to visit the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. The Buddha or Bodhisattva have been waiting for you for a long time, longing for their child to find the way home. When you arrive, set aside everything you have learned in the past. The Buddha or Bodhisattva will guide you through the simplest and purest methods to practise the Buddha’s teachings and master the essence of rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Once you understand the relationship between the spirit and the body, and where the spirit must go after the body decays, you will no longer need to fear the topic of death. In fact, you should bravely tell everyone around you that the spirit does not have to die. If everyone can attain rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, we can all be reunited. This human world is merely a transit station. The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia is the springboard that allows you to return to the Western Land. When you encounter this temple, you must accelerate your progress, gather your strength, and make a powerful leap across the threshold of the Western Land.

If you are afraid to face death, I offer you a wonderful opportunity: you do not have to 'die' in the way you fear! People are often afraid because of the unknown. If you can know your destination after your last breath, your panic will be greatly reduced. Have you heard of rebirth in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss? The Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is where I reside now. It is a place free from the suffering you experience in your current life; it is a realm of absolute peace and harmony.

Zhao Puchu

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Fajing