The Eternal Life of the Spirit

The Boundless Nature of the Spirit

The life of the spirit is as vast and boundless as the emptiness of space itself. It has no known beginning, and it shall have no end. This spirit travels freely across this world and others, moving through the Milky Way, the entire universe, and the ten directions of the Dharma Realm. It is a journey that has continued for aeons, yet we often remain unaware of its true, eternal nature.

At this very moment, our spirits are caught in the cycle of rebirth within the six realms of existence in this worldly realm. We drift from one state to another, experiencing the varied fruits of our past actions.

The Endless Cycle of Rebirth

The spirit experiences many states of being:

• The Heavenly Realm: Here, the spirit enjoys the freedom and light of celestial bliss.
• The Asura Realm: The spirit may possess great fortune or beauty, yet it remains prone to intense anger and jealousy.
• The Human Realm: The spirit dons the temporary garment of a human body, living a life defined by impermanence.
• The Ghost Realm: The spirit endures a dim and shadowed existence, often wandering as a lonely wandering spirit without a fixed place to rest.
• The Animal Realm: The spirit takes on the forms of cats, dogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, shrimp, or birds, passing life after life in these varied guises.
• The Hell Realms: The spirit suffers through intense torments, where cries of pain pierce the very heart of existence.

Throughout this long journey, the spirit has also taken the form of the physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers, as well as flowers, grasses, and trees. It has been born through the womb, through moisture, through eggs, and through transformation. It has even ventured into other planets, existing as beings beyond the reach of our Earth.

The Illusion of the Physical Form

Regardless of where this spirit has travelled, it has always been connected to others. We have all had family members, parents, teachers, and karmic creditors across countless lifetimes. In truth, this spirit has had contact with, or lived alongside, all beings within the vastness of the Dharma Realm.

Those who have realised their true nature are able to enter the view of oneness, realising that the entire Dharma Realm and oneself are a single entity. But one must ask: where is the true self? The spirit is the true self. When we possess a physical body, we must understand that this body is merely a false vessel; it is not who we truly are.

Awakening to the True Self

If you can maintain this perspective, your practice will naturally lead to the purification and elevation of your spiritual quality. You will no longer be influenced by the feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and consciousness that arise from the false body. When you can enter the state of no-self and transcend the attachment to the physical form, the view of oneness will manifest. This is the moment of Awakening.

However, at this present time, the spirit is often clouded by pollution and has yet to fully embody purity and Goodness. Through your practice, you must strive to purify your Body-Mind-Spirit, allowing the inherent Goodness of your original nature to emerge, and letting your true self and Buddha-nature shine forth.

The Mission of Spiritual Purification

It is my sincere hope that you will elevate the quality of your spirit. By doing so, you can save yourself and help all beings reach rebirth in the Western Pure Land. You must begin by saving the beings within our bodies. When you enter the ranks of those who have realised their true nature and attain Buddhahood, you will be able to repay the profound grace of Namo Amituofo, the Teacher, and Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo.