Learning Within the Illusory
Teachings from Namo Amituofo
Recorded on February 23, 2024
The Nature of Worldly Knowledge
Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui. On the twenty-third of February, 2024, during the midday offering, Namo Amituofo provided the following discourse regarding the nature of our existence.
What exactly is worldly knowledge? In truth, everything that one encounters in this world—every person, every object, and every event—falls under the category of worldly knowledge. People in this world often mistake these fleeting phenomena for genuine wisdom and dedicate their entire lives to studying them. However, from the perspective of the Buddha’s teachings, all these things can be summarised in a single word: illusory.
When you learn about these illusory phenomena, you are merely engaging with illusions. The knowledge gained within this illusory environment is itself just another illusion. Just like a dream or a mirage, it will eventually vanish, leaving nothing behind. Yet, most people live their entire lives within this illusion without ever realising that it is not real.
The Veils of the Fleeting World
Because they do not understand the illusory nature of their existence, people spend their days drifting through life. They endure the profound suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, only to eventually face the end of their lives and enter the cycle of rebirth. Once they pass away, they enter the underworld, where their past lives and their current life are tallied together. Their future destination is then determined by the weight of their accumulated :
- The good karma they have cultivated.The negative karma they have created.The karmic debts that remain unpaid.
This is the reality of the cycle of rebirth for those who remain trapped in worldly life.
The Compassionate Vow of the Saviour
In contrast, those who have taken up the vow to save beings understand the truth. They know that the world is illusory, they study the nature of these illusions, and yet their hearts remain detached from them. They are not moved by the illusions of the world. Instead, they use these very illusions as a skillful means to guide others toward liberation. This is the unique capacity of those who are dedicated to saving beings.
Because sentient beings are currently lost within the illusion, the practitioner uses the worldly phenomena that beings are attached to as a skillful means to reach them. For example, the temple provides nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals to attract beings to listen to the sutras, hear the , study the Buddha’s teachings, and chant the name of Namo Amituofo.
to the
Simultaneously, we provide the necessary support to help them alleviate the suffering of aging and illness, including:
- Spiritual healing to restore , mind, and spirit.The practice of inviting spirits to hear the Dharma.Dharma assemblies that help beings recognise their own suffering.
Through these methods, beings are encouraged to develop a sincere desire to leave the cycle of suffering behind and make the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
In this Five Turbidities and Evil World, the Pure Land Dharma Gate is the most effective way to help those with karmic affinity leave the illusion and enter the truth. It is the path that allows one to rediscover their true self, be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and ultimately attain Buddhahood. Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library