This teaching was recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, on the seventeenth of August, 2025.
The True Self as the Master of Reincarnation
Your physical body is governed by your true self, which acts as the protagonist throughout the cycle of rebirth. As you reincarnate across countless lifetimes, your physical form will inevitably change, yet your true self remains singular and constant. It does not disappear, nor does it increase or decrease in essence. However, there is a profound difference between a true self that is pure and one that is polluted.
When your true self is pure, your sensitivity, , Wisdom (Prajna), mind-capacity, and ability to embrace others are fully revealed. In this state, your true self feels light and at peace. Conversely, the more your true self is burdened by the heavy pollution of past , the more it loses its clarity. If you were to leave your body in such a state, you would naturally fall downward, descending into the dark, polluted spaces of the six realms of existence, which is to say, you would enter the three evil realms.
The Purpose of Our Spiritual Journey
The purpose of your practice is to leave behind the ocean of suffering inherent in the six realms of existence. You strive to chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss. Ultimately, you seek to reach the state of an awakened being and see your original, true nature. Throughout the process of practising beyond the world, you will find that your lifestyle, the people you interact with, and your daily routines differ significantly from those of the mundane world. Consequently, you will encounter unique experiences and gain profound insights that are not found in ordinary life.
The Perils of the Unsettled Mind
Before you have achieved a stable level of meditative concentration, your mind will inevitably fluctuate. Because of these ripples in your heart and the constant movement of your thoughts, you may inadvertently attract to manifest before you. Furthermore, attached spirits and demon crowds may enter your body. When this happens, your true self loses its ability to be the master of your life. You become trapped, and your Body, Speech, and Mind are controlled by these beings. You then use this body to create more karma, leading to endless suffering.
Three Crucial Warnings for the Practitioner
You must not take your practice lightly. Please consider these three warnings:
Do not take your thoughts lightly: Every single thought and intention, every word you speak, and every move you make creates karma through your Body, Speech, and Mind.
Do not take small acts of Goodness or evil lightly: The laws of karma and cause and effect are never empty. Even small actions will yield results, and these actions will pollute your character, creating obstacles to your practice.
Do not take your personality flaws lightly: Your character is the primary reason why your practice may remain stagnant. If you cannot purify your heart, maintain Discipline (), or achieve the meditative concentration that leads to Wisdom (Prajna), you will fail to reach the state of an awakened being.
The Infinite Power of the Holy Name
Finally, do not take the holy name of Namo Amituofo lightly. When you chant Namo Amituofo with a pure heart, you can open the gates of heaven and reach into the vast emptiness. This practice has the power to save countless suffering beings and can eradicate the heavy karmic sins accumulated over eighty billion kalpas of birth and death. Once the name enters your ear, it becomes an eternal seed of the path. There will surely come a time when you meet Namo Amituofo and are saved. Namo Amituofo.
