Karmic Affinity Throughout the Dharma Realm

The Infinite Scope of the Dharma Realm

The Dharma Realm is truly infinite. Everything that we perceive before our eyes—the people we meet, the objects we encounter, the various events that unfold, and the very spaces we inhabit—is an inseparable part of this vast Dharma Realm. This includes our entire worldly realm, the Earth itself, and our Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. All of these exist within the Dharma Realm and are essential components of its grand, interconnected structure. Because we all reside within this single, unified reality, every being is connected by karmic affinity. Whether a being belongs to any of the six realms of existence, whether they are sentient or insentient, and whether we recognise them or not, they all share a profound connection with the Dharma Realm.

The Web of Karmic Connections

In the context of our spiritual life, which is without beginning or end, we have all crossed paths with one another countless times. Within this vast timeline, our lives have been woven together through various types of connections: good karmic affinities, which are the positive bonds formed through past acts of kindness and mutual support, and negative karmic affinities, which are the challenging bonds formed through past conflicts or misunderstandings. These connections are constantly intertwined. Regardless of the nature of these past ties, they belong to the past. In this present moment, we have the opportunity to begin anew. No matter how others treat us, we should always respond with compassion and tolerance. If we have made a mistake, we must have the courage to admit our fault. If we have not, we should remain vigilant and self-reflective, ensuring that we do not commit any wrong in the future.

The Unity of All Things

When we view the world through the lens of oneness, we realise that our connections extend far beyond our immediate family or those we know. Our web of affinity includes our parents, teachers, and elders from countless past lifetimes, our karmic creditors who seek balance for past actions, and our family members and relatives from previous incarnations. Even the microscopic elements of our daily existence, such as the air molecules we inhale with every breath and the water molecules we consume to sustain our bodies, are connected to us through deep, Causal Conditions. All beings in the Dharma realm exist within the cycle of cause and effect. This is true for all sentient beings, for the planets that drift in space, and for the very dust and sand that make up the earth.

The Eternal Light of the True Self

While all phenomena are subject to the cycle of arising and ceasing, there is one thing that remains constant. Only our true self exists eternally. Our true self is not born and does not die; it does not increase or decrease; it is neither defiled nor pure. It is the eternal light that shines within us all. The Dharma Realm is filled with these karmic affinities, and you and I are both within it, bound together by these eternal threads. We must cherish these connections as we walk the path toward awakening. Namo Amituofo