Like Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles, and Shadows

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui.

On the occasion of the noon offering on October 26, 2024, Namo Amituofo provided these teachings:

My children, what is it that appears like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows? Everything you see before your eyes at this very moment is exactly that. Only the act of returning to your true self-nature is real. Therefore, a practitioner must be willing to let go of everything, even this physical body, for the sake of rediscovering that true self and for the sake of saving beings.

The Unchanging Nature of the True Self

Because your true self-nature is the only reality, everything else is subject to change. Only the true self remains eternal and unchanging. It is neither born nor destroyed, neither defiled nor pure, and neither increases nor decreases. It is the very embodiment of light. This body of light contains all things and illuminates the infinite. Although it may appear to be empty, it actually encompasses the entirety of existence.

The Illusion of the Six Realms

The cycle of the six realms of rebirth is merely a dream, an illusion, a bubble, and a shadow. Yet, there are countless sentient beings trapped within the lower realms, suffering through the endless torment of the hells. There are also countless ghost realm beings living in days devoid of light. The karma you have accumulated over accumulated lifetimes is also like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, and a shadow. When you summon it, it manifests, yet it has the power to plunge your Body-Mind-Spirit into the suffering of karmic retribution.

The Importance of Vigilant Practice

As a practitioner, you must be cautious. You must restrain your Body, Speech, and Mind to keep your karma hidden. Do not summon the manifestation of karma, for it will only obstruct your practice. The manifestation of karma is one of the reasons beings are tested; if you do not summon it, it will remain dormant and eventually fade away.

The Falsehood of the Material World

People in this world believe that material things have a solid existence and that the physical body is real. In truth, these entities are merely aggregates formed when Causal Conditions mature. They are constantly changing, aging, and decaying. Eventually, they will decompose and lose their form, returning to their smallest constituent parts. When the Causal Conditions are exhausted, they decompose and each part goes its own way. Therefore, they are not real; they are false. It is the mark of wisdom to use this false existence to cultivate the truth. Only by returning to your true self-nature do you find what is truly real.

Awakening and the Twelve Lights

When your Six Roots are clear and bright, you will understand the nature of these dreams and illusions with absolute clarity. Only then can you enter the six realms of rebirth without being trapped by them, allowing you to save beings within those realms rather than sinking down to become a being in need of saving yourself. What is real within the Ten Directions of the Dharma Realm? Nothing is real until you reach the state of an awakened being. The palaces built by the Primordial Demon, no matter how magnificent or opulent they may appear, are merely illusions within the Ten Directions. When these dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows encounter the true Buddha-light of your true self-nature—the Twelve Lights—they vanish in an instant, and the demon's palace disappears without a trace. This is the reality of what happens when illusions meet the truth.

Namo Amituofo