Since time immemorial, we have been drifting through the world, reincarnated in the six realms of existence. Throughout these countless lifetimes, we have never truly found a place where our Body-Mind-Spirit could find lasting peace. Perhaps it is because our affinity has not yet been fully nurtured, or perhaps we have simply been lost, drifting aimlessly between this world and others.
Since time immemorial, we have created immeasurable negative . In doing so, we have endured endless suffering and pain. We are constantly pressed by this suffering, yet we fail to understand the root cause of our distress. The truth is that our suffering stems from a single, persistent attachment: the belief in the 'self'. We constantly ask ourselves, 'I am here, everything is about me, and how could I possibly survive in a world without me?' This is a profound and heavy question that keeps us bound to the cycle of rebirth.
The Burden of the Ego
Since time immemorial, we have committed countless sins. We have allowed ourselves to be governed by the , the , and a multitude of other harmful actions. Consider the weight of these transgressions:
The Five Poisons: Greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt.
The Five Desires: Attachment to wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep.
Various Sins: Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, intoxication, and the misuse of speech—including double-tongued speech, harsh words, lying, and frivolous chatter.
Is there any one of these that we have not committed? In truth, we have engaged in all of them. Every single one of these actions was driven by our attachment to the 'self'. These deeds are not lost to time; they are recorded, bit by bit, in the . Whether the karmic result has manifested or is yet to ripen, the laws of karma and cause and effect remain absolute. They are never blurred; they are clear, distinct, and perfectly balanced.
The Path to
This is the fundamental nature of and the causes and effects. True practice is the process of recognising this 'self' and learning to let go of the 'self'. Only when you can truly let go of the 'self' can you achieve success in your spiritual journey. Since time immemorial, we have also performed good deeds, and the seeds of this good karma are deeply planted within our Alaya . When the conditions mature, this good karma will manifest, bringing forth the of good rewards.
It is because we have cultivated magnificent Dharma affinity with the in the past that we are able to encounter , our Teacher, and Practitioner Su in this lifetime. Reflecting on our journey since time immemorial, we see that our lives have taken many forms. We have been reborn in the hells, as hungry ghosts, as animals, in the human world, in the heavenly realms, or as asuras. Each of these states has its own duration—some long, some short, some fleeting, and some lingering.
A Call to
For us, the number of things we have done since time immemorial is countless and impossible to fully recount. Yet, what matters most is the present moment. Every action you take, every thought you harbour, and every word you speak in this very second is governed by the laws of karma and cause and effect. You must be extremely careful and diligent in your conduct. Do not be negligent, and do not be careless. Every moment is an opportunity to choose the right path, to purify your heart, and to move closer to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.
