Looking Back and Moving Forward

The Radiance of the True Nature

Throughout the immeasurable and boundless ages of our spiritual existence, we have wandered repeatedly through the six realms of existence. We have lived lives that are mere echoes of our past, repeating the same patterns and encountering the same suffering over and over again. How can we elevate the quality of our spirit? This has always been the ultimate goal that we seek to achieve. The true meaning of life can only be fully realised when we allow the light of our own true nature to shine forth from within. We must cultivate this inner radiance so that it may illuminate everything around us—all the people we encounter, the various spirits and deities, the mountains, the rivers, the earth, the birds, the beasts, and every blade of grass and leaf in nature. When we do this, all sentient beings may benefit from the brilliance of our true nature.

The Precious Opportunity of Human Life

Whether one resides in the three good realms—the human world, the heavenly realms, or the realm of the asuras—or suffers in the three evil realms of hell, hungry ghosts, or animals, or even if one dwells within the Four Sacred Realms, the fastest way to enter a higher level of spiritual life is to return to the human world. It is only here, through the various trials, tribulations, and tests of life, that one can truly elevate their spiritual level. Among all the realms of existence, only the human world provides the unique conditions necessary to improve the quality of our spirit, change our destiny, achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

We do not rely solely on the karmic affinities of our past lives. Through sincere vows and the power of our own determination, combined with the compassionate support and blessings of Namo Amituofo, we can transcend the limitations of our past. We can go beyond our existing karmic connections to create new, virtuous ones. We can perform the work of Chao Du for infinite, boundless sentient beings and guide them to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This monumental task can only be accomplished while in the human form. This is why we must recognise how rare and precious the human life truly is.

Breaking the Chains of Samsara

If an ordinary person lives their life according to the dictates of their past karma, they will remain trapped in the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. The eight sufferings are like a pre-arranged fate waiting for us at the gates of the underworld. Our spiritual life becomes nothing more than a repetitive journey through the human world, where we exhaust our good karma and suffer the consequences of our bad deeds. In this process, we continue to create new causes and effects, which only serve to pull us back into the cycle of rebirth. When will we finally end this cycle of suffering that has persisted for accumulated lifetimes?

Navigating the Depths of the Alaya Consciousness

Everything from our past lives, including the very second that just passed, can be considered the past. From the perspective of practice in the human world, if we do not have the guidance and care of a true spiritual friend, and if we lack meditative concentration and correct knowledge, looking back at the past will only cause time to flow backward in our minds. It will cause our thoughts to fluctuate and stir, summoning the spirits with whom we have karmic affinities to manifest before us. It is like a tape recorder playing in reverse, pulling our reality back into the past and allowing the spirits in various spaces—who have been waiting for a message—to find us and seek revenge for past grievances.

However, viewed from another perspective, as we progress through the process of purification, our natural abilities begin to manifest. We may have the opportunity to understand our own past and face the various karmic sufferings we have experienced. Although we may have forgotten these events, every single detail is stored without omission in the Alaya consciousness. Even if our meditative concentration is not yet strong enough and we experience emotional fluctuations upon learning of these past events, we must rely on the teachings we have heard and the correct understanding we have cultivated. We must know that all of this is illusory. Even if we suffer because our karmic creditors have manifested, if we follow the guidance of a true spiritual friend, we will find the path to resolve these grievances. After the pain passes, it will lead to spiritual growth and help us stand more firmly and steadily on the path of practice.

The Wisdom of the Present Moment

Although we clearly understand that the events of the past are painful, we must also know that they are merely events within a dream. We must realise that to see through and let go is absolutely essential. We must understand that the Precepts, Concentration and Wisdom are vital to our practice. We must recognise that purification and the rediscovery of our true nature are the only paths to liberation from the cycle of suffering. Therefore, we must overcome our difficulties and lift our spirits. The past has already passed, and the future is full of variables; only those who grasp the present moment are truly wise.

On the path of practice, do not be bound by the past, and do not waste time planning for the future. Simply strive diligently in the present moment. All abilities will naturally manifest, and with the guidance of a true spiritual friend, you will be able to move forward step by step. Do not be attached to anything, for all things are illusory manifestations of karmic conditions and are constantly changing. Even the various emotions that people in this world find so difficult to release are understood to be impermanent. We know that emotions change and fade, and that clinging to them only brings pain; therefore, we do not linger in such attachments.

A Sanctuary for True Awakening

Those who practise to chant Buddha's name must truly see clearly and hear the truth of reality. When you deeply feel the suffering of all sentient beings, a heart of compassion will naturally arise, and wisdom will emerge. Only then can you truly achieve the state of see through and let go, being at ease, following conditions, and chant Buddha's name. When you see your original, cool, free, and pure true face, and when you give rise to the heart to leave suffering behind and attain Buddhahood, you will be able to break through your difficulties. With firm determination, you will move forward toward sincerity, purity, equality, correct awakening, and compassion. You will attain meditative concentration, enter the Samadhi of Buddha-recitation, and realise the state of selflessness, no-thought, and no-self—the state of Awakening.

The disciples of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre possess an excellent environment for practice, and they have the guidance and care of our compassionate father Namo Amituofo, our true spiritual friend Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju and Practitioner Su. This is truly a rare opportunity that is difficult to encounter in millions of years. You must cherish this karmic affinity, move forward actively, and find your original nature as soon as possible. Save yourself and save others, so that all may be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Furthermore, you must present this Great Dharma of the Pure Land to the world in a new light, so that it may be passed down for generations to come.

This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo