Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe
26 November 2023
Words of Namo Amituofo:
People in this world often feel that the realm of spirits is mysterious and obscure. This sense of mystery arises simply because the physical eye cannot perceive these beings. This is a confusion of , which causes the heart to become unsettled. Consequently, most people choose to treat spirits with a mixture of reverence, avoidance, or distance.
The True Nature of the Spirit
Practitioners engage in True Cultivation to return to their original nature. This truth is found in . When the spirit is elevated to a state of absolute purity and goodness, free from even the slightest trace of defilement, one can finally see their true nature. Generally speaking, the three hun souls and seven po souls of a spirit can remain in a state of peace, provided they are not disturbed or pulled away by other entities. These external disturbances include , attached spirits, and even demon crowds.
A spirit attains peace when the heart is calm and harmonious, free from worry or vexation. In this state, there is no , and the spirit remains stable within its proper space. The heart and the spirit are one; when the three hun souls and seven po souls are unsettled, the person will exhibit signs of mental distraction, an inability to concentrate, and a sense that the soul has become scattered and has not returned to the body.
The Vital Importance of a Still Heart
When one is drowsy and enters other spaces, having Right Knowledge and Right is essential to stabilise the condition of the body. If the heart is uneven, restless, or filled with wandering thoughts, it creates ripples in the mind. These ripples invite the manifestation of past . When karmic creditors manifest, the cells within the body are immediately affected by their interference, and the symptoms of ageing and illness follow. This is why it is of the utmost importance to keep the heart still, like water without waves.
The Body-Mind-Spirit of a person is governed entirely by the heart. The heart has the power to influence the beings within the body, the cells themselves, and the state of the spirit. The body serves as the dwelling place for these spiritual beings, such as karmic creditors, attached spirits, or demon crowds, and it is the site where the results of karmic illness manifest. Therefore, the body, the mind, and the spirit are mutually causative.
The Path of Transformation
The Buddha’s teachings state that all dharmas are mind-only. To study the Buddha’s teachings, one must put in the work at the level of the heart. By adjusting and refining the heart, one naturally influences the state of the body and the spirit. This process of transforming the one to affect the three is the profound brilliance of the Buddha’s teachings. The body is a physical entity, but this entity is merely a manifestation of karmic causes and effects. The spirit, however, is unique.
At this very moment, you have encountered an opportunity that is difficult to encounter even in millions of years: the chance to practise at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. This is a rare and precious blessing. Not only can this practice help you invite back your three hun souls and seven po souls and assist your spirit in finding peace, but you are also blessed by the presence of Namo Amituofo, the Master, and Practitioner Su in the temple. I invite all who have this karmic affinity to engage in diligent practice. Seize this precious opportunity to study the Buddha’s teachings, chant Namo Amituofo, realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, and fulfil the wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.
