Is There Eternal Life?
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
The Temporary Vessel and the Eternal Spirit
The cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death is an inevitable reality for all beings caught within the cycle of reincarnated existence. We must recognise that the birth and death of the physical body are unavoidable processes that we experience life after life. While the life of the physical body is limited, the life of the spirit is infinite. In this present existence, the spirit resides within , yet we must understand that the spirit is the original, singular essence that is neither born nor destroyed.
The physical body is merely a temporary dwelling, a vessel that the spirit occupies for a short time. It is subject to the laws of arising and ceasing. When the four elements of the body separate at the end of a life, the spirit is the last to depart. Once the spirit leaves, the body ceases to function and eventually decays; this is what we call death.
The Cycle of the Spirit's Journey
When a new life begins through the process of reincarnation, the spirit is the first to enter the new form. It is the presence of this spirit and its that brings the body to life. Regardless of how long one lives in this world, the physical body will eventually deteriorate. Conversely, no matter how long the spirit dwells within a body, it remains indestructible. The true difference lies in the quality of the spirit—is it sensitive, clear, and alert?
Cultivating a Pure and Sensitive Spirit
If your spirit is pure and sensitive, it indicates that it carries very little pollution or karmic burden. The more sensitive and aware your spirit becomes, the greater your ability to take charge of your own destiny. This autonomy prevents you from being controlled by the various influences that often plague our lives:
- Your , who seek balance for past actions.
- Attached spirits, who may influence your thoughts and emotions.
To achieve this state of clarity, you must diligently practise purification of your spirit and the beings residing within your body. By doing so, you allow your Body-Mind-Spirit to walk together upon the Buddha's path. This is the foundation of a harmonious and meaningful life.
Achieving True Liberation
The ultimate destination for the eternal spirit is the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only true and final home. While the body can never be eternal and will eventually face destruction and separation, the spirit that has reached is different. Such a spirit is light, peaceful, pure, and filled with goodness. It can leave this limited body behind and enter the boundless expanse of the universe.
When a spirit that has attained Awakening through the practice of chanting Namo Amituofo enters the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, it has truly achieved freedom over life and death. Namo Amituofo.
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library