Birth and death are the fundamental, inescapable processes that define the human experience. Once we are born, we are set upon a path that inevitably leads to our eventual departure from this world. Between the moment of our birth and the finality of our death, we must endure the profound suffering of aging and sickness. These are not merely physical ailments; they are the manifestations of our inability to take charge of our own lives. We are often helpless against the tides of our own , drifting through existence without a clear direction or the power to control our own destiny.
The Burden of Karmic Debt
How can one truly attain liberation from birth and death when one is still burdened by the weight of past actions? Throughout countless lifetimes, we have accumulated karmic debts. These debts manifest in our present life as —beings who have been harmed by us in the past and now seek to settle the score. Because we have not yet repaid these debts, we remain trapped in the cycle of suffering. In this defiled and evil world, the only way to find a path to true liberation is to rely upon the sacred power of . When we are suffering, when our karmic creditors are suffering, and when all sentient beings are suffering, it is only through the compassionate embrace of Namo Amituofo that we can all be saved and find relief from this endless cycle of pain.
The Perils of the Three Evil Realms
Throughout accumulated lifetimes, we, along with our karmic creditors and sentient beings with whom we share a connection, have experienced countless instances of birth, aging, sickness, and death. We have endured immeasurable heartache and pain. If we do not seek the path of the Buddha, we risk falling into the Three Evil Realms:
The Hell Realm: Driven by anger and hatred, beings fall into the hells to suffer extreme, unimaginable punishments.
The Animal Realm: Driven by ignorance and confusion, beings fall into the animal realm, living in a state of dim-wittedness and constant fear.
The Hungry Ghost Realm: Driven by greed and attachment, beings fall into the hungry ghost realm, where they suffer the agony of constant craving and the inability to find sustenance.
If we remain within the cycle of rebirth, who among us can truly say that we will not fall into these realms? Who can guarantee that they will not become a creature of the earth, or suffer the extreme tortures of the hells, or wander in the grey, sunless days of the ghost realm? The risk is ever-present as long as we remain unawakened.
A Call to Practice for Hsiang Kuang Students
Students of the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, you are fortunate to have encountered the teachings of Namo Amituofo, the guidance of your teacher, and the support of Practitioner Su. This is the perfect time for you to achieve liberation from birth and death. You must be proactive, diligent, and sincere in your practice. You must focus on the following to make true progress:
Purification: Work tirelessly to purify your body, mind, and spirit, removing the stains of greed, anger, and ignorance.
Accumulation of Merit: Constantly perform virtuous deeds to accumulate merit and wisdom, which are essential for realising your true nature.
Resolving Karmic Ties: Actively seek to resolve the grievances you hold with your present karmic creditors. Encourage them to accept the invitation to receive .
Chao Du: Perform Chao Du for your ancestors, teachers, karmic creditors, and family members from both your past lives and this current life.
By dedicating yourself to these practices, you will be able to know the time of your passing in advance. You will be able to chant Namo Amituofo with a clear mind and achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. From there, you will have the freedom to return to the Western Pure Land at will, having finally transcended the cycle of suffering. Namo Amituofo.
