In this world, every relationship we encounter—whether between people, between individuals and the events of their lives, or between humanity and the vast expanse of heaven and earth—is governed by the laws of and cause and effect. All things, without exception, exist within the cycle of arising and ceasing. Even the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who manifest in this world to guide us do so according to these same conditions. Their presence here is not permanent in the physical sense; it is bound by the duration of the Causal Conditions that allow them to appear.
From the perspective of the ultimate truth, the Tathagata is said to come from nowhere and go to nowhere. When a Buddha saves beings, there is no past, no present, and no future; there is no limitation of time or space. Their work is purely to fulfil their vows to save all beings. This is the truth as understood from the highest level of wisdom. However, when we speak of the phenomenal world—the world of events and appearances—we must acknowledge that there is a cycle of birth and death. Everything we perceive is in a state of constant change and impermanence.
The Manifestation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Because all people, events, and environments are subject to the constant changes of the world, they are inherently in a state of arising and ceasing. This is why when Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifest in the human world to become enlightened, or when ancestral masters and venerable masters appear in their physical bodies to spread the and save beings, there is always a specific period for their presence. They appear when the conditions are ripe and depart when those conditions have been exhausted.
At this very moment, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, where truly abides, Practitioner Su and I are working together to look after the fourfold assembly and the spirits residing here. Even this connection is subject to the cycle of arising and ceasing. There will be a time for gathering and a time for parting.
Understanding the Cycle of Connection
How can you know if you are currently within this cycle of arising and ceasing? You can observe the phenomena of connection and disconnection. When the conditions for a connection arise, the people, events, and environments necessary for that connection appear. If the conditions continue to be nurtured, the phenomena will persist. When the conditions are exhausted, the phenomena will fade away. At that point, the relationships between the people, the events, the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas, the spirits, and the fourfold assembly will become a part of the past. This is the state of the cessation of conditions.
The Arising of Conditions: When the necessary karmic affinities are present, the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to be guided by the Buddha's light manifests clearly.
The Continuation of Conditions: If the practitioners maintain their sincerity and diligence, the connection remains strong and the work of saving beings continues.
The Cessation of Conditions: When the collective heart of the assembly shifts or when the reach their natural conclusion, the physical manifestation of these teachers may come to an end.
The Future of Our Presence
Currently, Namo Amituofo, Practitioner Su, and I are together at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, working to save beings in both the human world and the spiritual realms. This is a process of ongoing connection. As for when these conditions might cease, or whether they can be extended through the laws of karma and cause and effect, this remains an uncertain variable. This is because the human heart is prone to change, and the environment is constantly shifting.
You may ask whether the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Practitioner Su, or I will remain here. The most important factor is not our physical presence, but rather the state of the practitioners themselves. We must ask: Are there those who have realised their true nature? Are there those who can truly connect with the Buddha’s heart? Are there those who are capable of passing on the Buddha’s words, continuing the practice, and spreading the Dharma to others?
If the conditions are exhausted and no new conditions are created to sustain the connection, then the departure is inevitable. This is a matter for the future. For now, what you see is that remaining here is the appropriate course of action. We shall observe the situation as it unfolds. The final determination will depend on how the fourfold assembly and the people at large continue to practise, how they seek the Dharma, and how they request the teachings. Namo Amituofo.
