The Darkness of Ignorance and the Path to Liberation
The Twenty-first Letter of Lay Practitioner Zhao Puchu
Recorded on August 11, 2017
The Fragility of Existence
The distance between the heavens and the human world is as thin as a single thread, yet the hells are filled with the fires of suffering, stretching across the valleys of existence. If you truly wish to attain eternal purity and liberation, you must first resolve to sever your ties with the illusions of this world. Throughout the long journey of life, one tastes a hundred different flavours of experience. You may have been an emperor in one life and a beggar in the next. In the cycle of the six realms of existence, we are constantly separated from those we love, drifting through the currents of . If you have not yet awakened to your true nature as a spirit, you will continue to wander in confusion, trapped in the cycle of rebirth, suffering in the shadows of your own ignorance.
I, Zhao, was once a human just like you. I have descended from the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss with a solemn vow to save all beings. The only difference between us is the distinction between confusion and . If you do not attain clarity before you depart this world, your journey through the human realm will have been nothing more than a collection of karmic debts. It is truly difficult to navigate the world of without losing one's way.
The Illusion of Worldly Pursuits
Fortunately, the golden light of the Buddha has now appeared to guide us. Through this light, those of us lost in the Saha world can finally be saved. The Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre stands as a beacon of truth, its majesty shining in all directions. The Four Great Vows radiate a brilliant golden light, ensuring that even the smallest, most humble beings—like grains of sand—can be saved. There is no discrimination here, no high or low; all are seen as suffering spirits in need of , and all are encouraged to walk the path toward the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
To all the people of this vast world, I understand your hearts because I have walked your path. The true terror of this world is that people do not realise they are suffering. Consider the various ways you might be trapped in this illusion:
- The Life of Routine:
- You grow up, marry, and raise children, viewing these as ordinary events, never realising the underlying suffering of attachment.The Pursuit of Fame and Wealth:
- You are addicted to the glitter of money and the allure of reputation, blinded to the fact that this is a form of suffering.The Struggle of Poverty:
- You spend your entire life merely seeking enough food to survive, unaware that this struggle is also a form of suffering.The Ambition of the High-Achiever: Whether you are chasing stardom, travelling the world, or burning the midnight oil in study, you are unaware of the deep suffering caused by your stubborn attachments.
In truth, those who have not heard the Buddha’s teachings are all suffering. However, those who have heard the teachings but do not understand the need to leave this cycle are suffering even more, for they do not even know that they are in pain.
Breaking the Cycle of Ego
My friends in this world, the black vortex of samsara is spinning endlessly, and one person after another jumps into its depths. My heart truly aches for you. Yet, the stubborn attachments of this world, the ego-attachment, and the subjective of the human mind are so difficult to overcome. You build wall after wall around your heart, but what are you really protecting? This physical body is merely a temporary vessel. Who can truly take anything away from you, and what do you truly possess that can be taken? Do not be foolish.
It is rare to find a truly good person in this world, which is why it is so hard for people to trust one another. I have walked this path, and my actions are there for all to see. Can you not trust even a little? Even if you only trust a fraction, or if you feel that you might suffer a loss or be deceived, I urge you to set aside that heavy, ego-driven heart. Buy a ticket and come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I guarantee that you will gain insights beyond your wildest imagination. Do not delay; those who have the to hear this message but fail to come to this place are truly missing a precious opportunity. Make your decision now.
The Urgency of Returning Home
The importance of returning to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss is still unknown to many. People remain ignorant about the nature of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and have no awareness of the necessity of ending the cycle of rebirth. When the physical body suffers immense pain, you forget it the moment you experience a tiny fraction of pleasure. You might suffer ten parts of pain, yet you only retain three parts of the memory. It is truly remarkable that humans possess such a skill for self-deception.
Open your eyes wide. Open every pore of your body and diligently practise the purification of your Six Roots. Look clearly at this world; there is truly nothing here worth clinging to. Do not continue to sleep soundly in a dream. Pack your bags and head quickly toward the Buddha of Infinite Light. The Western Land is not far away; it is waiting for you to seize the opportunity to arrive.
Written by Zhao Puchu
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Fajing
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library