The Eternal Spirit and the Illusion of Time
Teachings from Namo Amituofo, Recorded by Venerable HaiZe
August 26, 2022
The Constant Spirit Within
Since time immemorial, your spirit has remained the same. It is the very same spirit that has existed throughout all your lifetimes. It has never been replaced, and it has never truly changed. What changes are merely the outer garments you wear—the physical bodies that you inhabit from one life to the next. The heart, however, is subject to the laws of impermanence; it is fickle, shifting, and without a fixed nature. Because of this, you have been trapped in a cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, constantly replacing one physical form with another.
The Heavy Burden of Countless Lifetimes
Throughout these countless cycles, your spirit has accompanied your physical body through every experience. It has carried the weight of endless lifetimes, bearing the burden of:
- The sorrow of parting and the of reunion.
- The complex web of human emotions, from intense anger to deep happiness.
- The heavy accumulation of karmic debts that weigh upon the spirit.
This burden is incredibly heavy, is it not? These past experiences are all composed of illusions. You have been living within a dream, one that continues on and on without a moment of rest. You have been caught in a cycle that seems to have no end.
from the Dream
Until this very moment, you have been lost. Now that you have encountered the Buddha, I tell you clearly: the past is nothing left but a dream. You must learn to let go of the past and recognise the truth of reality. You must seek to recover your true self—your original true self. Do not allow your current physical body to continue down the same path of aging, sickness, and death, only to end in decay and leave you to continue this unfinished dream in your next life. Do not let this happen again; the suffering is truly immense.
The Path of True Cultivation
My children, you must learn to make good use of this temporary physical body. Use it for True Cultivation. Do not allow yourself to be bound by the past, for if you remain entangled, it will be difficult to break free. You must seize this opportunity at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre to face yourself, achieve a breakthrough, and move forward. You must awaken your awareness and refuse to be led by your past any longer. You must make a firm resolution to end the cycle of reincarnated existence. Diligent practice is absolutely essential. You must save yourself, rediscover your true self, and follow the Buddha to save all beings and attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. This is the duty of every disciple of the Buddha.
Namo Amituofo
More by Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
The Final Curtain Call of Chu Ke-liang
A candid reflection from the late Taiwanese entertainer Chu Ke-liang on his life, his career, the karmic weight of his influence, and his ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The Soul's True Equality: A Conversation with Mahatma Gandhi
This is a record of an interview with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his journey to the Pure Land.
A Reflection from the Western Pure Land
This is a record of an interview with Zhao Puchu, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life in the 20th century. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Hui, on April 18, 2026.
The Truth Behind My Rebirth: A Message from Liu Suqing
Liu Suqing, the elder sister of the renowned practitioner Liu Suyun, shares her harrowing journey through the spirit realms and her ultimate deliverance to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss through the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.
The Burden of a Historical Name
This is a record of an interview with Lin Biao, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life approximately 54 years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on May 18, 2026.
The Poet’s Journey to the Western Pure Land
A reflection on the life, tragedy, and ultimate spiritual liberation of the ancient statesman Qu Yuan, who found peace through the teachings of Practitioner Su.
About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library