The Agony of Being Without a Body
An Interview with Venerable Yongning
Recorded by Chief Writer Shi Fajing on June 26, 2023
Venerable Yongning, a monastic residing at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, shares insights on the profound suffering of spirits who have lost their human bodies. This interview, recorded on June 26, 2023, highlights the urgent necessity of cherishing our physical form to attain liberation through diligent practice.
Venerable Yongning speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Yongning. Many spirits are rushing forward with such urgency. They have never witnessed such brilliant golden light before. The suffering they have endured for countless years has transformed into a singular, driving force at this very moment. They push forward with all their might, hoping to use this golden light to finally find a way out of their misery.
The Hidden Value of the Human Body
People in the world possess a human body, yet they remain blissfully unaware of the agony that comes with losing it. While you still have your human body, you can use its functions to acquire everything your body 'needs' and 'wants.' Some people have great ; whatever they desire, they receive as soon as they ask, or perhaps with only a minimal amount of effort. Others, with slightly fewer blessings, must work a little harder to obtain what they seek. Those with even fewer blessings must toil much more just to have a chance at satisfaction. Regardless of who you are, you can always use the efforts and actions of this body to satisfy its desires and requirements.
However, what about the spirit that remains after the human body is lost? Can it still rely on effort to obtain everything it desires, just as it did when it was alive? Once the human body is gone, that spirit is just a spirit. As Practitioner Su often describes it, it is thinner than a sheet of paper. Within a single mass of white mist, there are countless spirits gathered together. They congregate to form that mist, or perhaps it is the formation of the mist that allows them to appear in a tangible form before the eyes of the world. But what function can this white mist possibly have? It has absolutely no function. Even if they wanted to work hard, they have no body to exert effort, and certainly no body to apply force.
The Endless Suffering of the Spirit Realm
The state of being a spirit is truly miserable. For those spirits who are undergoing retribution in the hells or trapped within various spaces, the suffering is beyond description. They have no way to liberate themselves from these places of torment through their own efforts. Until their retribution is fully served, they must remain in the place of their punishment, suffering continuously.
In such a state of extreme suffering, when Practitioner Su utilizes his to perform and brings forth the Buddha-light, these miserable beings all seem to see a ray of hope. They are so anxious, so incredibly anxious. Every single one of them wears an expression of extreme urgency, desperate to seize the opportunity for liberation and departure.
The Power of and the Buddha-Name
The sound of the Buddha-name awakens their souls. Each one of them follows along, chanting the sacred name of 'Namo Amituofo.' Under the deliverance of Practitioner Su's great compassion, they are finally helped to depart from the spaces where they were suffering. Practitioner Su still possesses a human body, and he is able to use the power generated by this human body to save these spirits. If Practitioner Su did not have a human body, he would be unable to manifest such a vow and such power. Therefore, these spirits are deeply grateful to Practitioner Su. It is only because of Practitioner Su's compassionate heart, his great vows, and the cultivation of skills equal to those of a Buddha to deliver sentient beings, that they can be helped to achieve liberation and leave their suffering behind.
A Final Plea to the Living
Today, I, Yongning, am merely conveying the heartfelt voices of these rescued beings to the people of the world. They all want to tell you: you must cherish this limited human body. Time waits for no one. Seize the time to engage in diligent practice. Let go of the personality, desires, and attachments of this body. Allow your inner spirit to be elevated through this body, so that eventually, when your soul leaves the physical form, you may ascend directly to the Western Land, leaving suffering behind and gaining ultimate happiness.
Namo Amituofo."
More from Master Yongning
The Path to a Pure Heart
Venerable Yongning discusses the profound necessity of purifying the heart, explaining how the depth of one's practice is determined by the degree to which one can relinquish the self and worldly attachments.
The Transformation from Demon to Practitioner
Venerable Yongning shares his profound journey from a powerful demon to a dedicated practitioner, reflecting on the transformative power of the Dharma and the moment he was subdued by Practitioner Su.
The Prison of a Stubborn Heart
Venerable Yongning explores the destructive nature of stubbornness, revealing how a rigid heart traps spirits in cycles of suffering and how letting go is the only path to liberation.
Transcending the Cycle of Suffering
Venerable Yongning reflects on the root causes of human suffering, the profound regret of spirits trapped in the cycle of rebirth, and the path to liberation through repentance and chanting Namo Amituofo.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library