How many practitioners today are carrying the heavy burden of illness, or even attempting to maintain their practice while in the midst of sickness? If this illness manifests from your own , and is not a case of taking on the suffering of other beings, then you must realise that you are still trapped within the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, death. You have not yet managed to transform karma. How, then, can you find the opportunity to reach the state of an awakened being? You must reflect deeply, engage in repenting for your past transgressions, and strive to improve your conduct with great speed.
Reflecting on the Roots of Suffering
You must ask yourself if there are aspects of your practice that are not in accordance with the . Consider these questions carefully:
Are you acting out of selfishness, prioritising your own needs rather than serving all beings?
Have you violated the , and are you now experiencing the consequences of those actions?
Have you failed to change the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, and do you still harbour strong subjective views, unresolved grievances, and a mind that is constantly filled with wandering thoughts?
All of these factors are the causes that attract the manifestation of old karma or the ripening of current retribution. In particular, for a practitioner who knows the Dharma but chooses to violate it, or who harbours doubt towards the teachings, you must understand that you are inviting the suffering of the hells. When you are ill, your physical strength, mental clarity, responsiveness, and ability to act are not as they once were. It becomes difficult to maintain focus. This is the manifestation of physical obstruction. You must not harbour resentment, for doing so only makes it harder for your to find peace, which in turn makes it more difficult for your illness to subside or heal.
The Thin Line Between Worlds
Practising during illness allows you to more deeply appreciate that the boundary between life and death is as thin as a single line. If you do not hold firmly to the Buddha-name, the boundary between the cycle of being reincarnated and the is also just as thin. When you leave your future—whether you will be reincarnated or be reborn in the Western Pure Land—to uncertainty and the unknown, you are in a truly perilous position. In an instant, the Western Pure Land may seem far away, and you may find yourself pulled back into the cycle of being reincarnated. This is truly a dangerous situation. Therefore, you must be even more diligent, seek to resolve the conflict, and engage in sincere repenting.
Transcending the Illusion of
Through illness, you can more clearly understand the inability to control birth, aging, sickness, death, as well as the profound suffering of all beings. Everything is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. You must recognise the truth of the situation: we are born alone, we die alone, we come alone, and we go alone. The suffering and the happiness we experience must be borne by ourselves; no one can take our place. Do not remain attached to the past or refuse to let go. You must truly see through the illusion, let go of your attachments, and chant Buddha's name with a single, focused heart.
You will gain a deeper sense of the fragility and powerlessness of life. Do not be led astray by this false body; know that it is an illusion, and once it passes, it is gone. You will then better understand the preciousness of every breath you take. Do not let your illness interfere with your practice. Instead, you must seize the opportunity while you still have breath to chant Buddha's name with diligent practice, and to strengthen your faith in and your vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.
The Sanctuary of Hsiang Kuang
When illness manifests at Hsiang Kuang: A Sacred Sanctuary, it can be resolved. By inviting spirits and performing the actual work of , we provide a great blessing for all beings. For all of this, we offer our deepest gratitude.
