The Entanglements of Human Emotion: Teachings from Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Teachings from Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Recorded on April 16, 2019
The Endless Cycle of Emotional Suffering
Avalokiteshvara observes the men and women of this world, noting how they are constantly tormented by the weight of their emotions. They are trapped by their , bound by their desires, and consumed by the love and hatred that arise from these attachments. Many are so deeply entangled that they would rather face death than let go of their grievances. These complex webs of gratitude, resentment, love, and hatred have persisted for countless lifetimes. When these individuals meet again in this current life, they seek to continue these past connections, yet this only leads to further suffering.
The Hidden Presence Within
We see that many sentient beings, in the form of spirits, reside within the bodies of living men and women. A man may carry the spirits of women, children, or elderly people within him, just as a woman may carry the spirits of men, children, or the elderly within her. These spirits share deep emotional histories with the people they inhabit, stemming from past lives where they were:
- Parents and children
- Lovers or spouses
- Family members and relatives
- Close friends and companions
Because of the different outcomes of their lives in those past incarnations, when one party passed away, the other remained deeply attached. These spirits followed their loved ones through the cycle of rebirth, waiting patiently. When the person they were attached to was reborn into a new human body, these spirits entered them. They now reside within ’s cells, flow through the bloodstream, or dwell within the nervous system, constantly influencing the person’s thoughts and feelings.
The Mechanics of Karmic Debt
When these spirits are seeking to settle a debt, they wait for the right moment. When the person’s physical vibrations, feelings, and emotional fluctuations align with the past circumstances of their shared history, the creditors manifest. This is what people commonly refer to as the appearance of karmic creditors. It may manifest as an overwhelming longing for family members, or it may lead to sudden outbursts of anger, mutual resentment, or the breakdown of relationships due to conflicting views. While these scenes of and sorrow play out, those with clear vision understand the truth: the person is simply suffering the consequences of actions taken in the past or present.
The Truth of Samsara
Thus, a person’s entire life is spent in a cycle of settling debts, repaying kindness, or nursing grievances with these karmic creditors. One must ask: what is the true meaning of such a life? It is merely a process of repaying past deeds or creating new ones. In the next life, one may not even be reborn as a human. One simply returns to the cycle, transformed into a new role, wearing a new face. This is the reality of the six realms of rebirth.
The Path to
My dear, intelligent children, you must learn to cultivate rational wisdom. Do not allow yourselves to be blinded by emotion. This precious human body was not given to you simply to engage in romantic entanglements or to pay the price for past mistakes. It does not have to be this way. If you have not yet encountered the True Teachings, and there is no one to guide you, you lack the fortune to find liberation and leave suffering behind. However, if you have the opportunity to hear the True Teachings, to listen to the sutras daily, and to invite spirits to receive , you are truly blessed. Even your karmic creditors may manifest to speak of the past, providing a rare and magnificent affinity. The fourfold assembly of disciples at Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre must truly awaken to this reality. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. You must not only let go of your emotions, but you must let go of them completely and cleanly. Only then is it possible to realise your true nature and achieve Awakening.
Namo Amituofo
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library