The Feeling of Truly Returning Home

This is the twenty-seventh letter from the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen. Having sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the Master now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This message, which reflects upon the nature of the worldly realm and the profound, innate longing of the human heart to return to its true home, was recorded by the disciple Shi Faxi on July 12, 2017.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. If you must come to this world, please remember that coming just once is enough. If you find yourself thinking about coming back again, you must remind yourself that a single visit is all that is required. If you linger here, your troubles will multiply beyond measure. I believe that by writing this message, it may remain for hundreds or even thousands of years. I will return to this world soon, and perhaps I might even see this very book. That would be the perfect reminder for me: one visit is enough, and then it is time to return home.

What kind of trouble arises from staying? The answer is that every conceivable kind of trouble will find you. Troubles in this world grow slowly and insidiously. By the time you notice them—or even if you never notice them at all—it is already too late. This world, which we call the Saha world, is simply too troublesome. It entangles you in ways that make it impossible to break free, especially through the weight of emotions and the complexity of one's own nature—what we call personality. These are incredibly difficult to eradicate. Do we not all agree on this fact? You have been here for far too long. Returning to the Western Pure Land is a return to zero, a return to your original state. Yet, you have descended from the West countless times, and you have forgotten that your true home is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Trap of the Saha World

Everyone is currently pursuing the ultimate goal of liberation. Those who clearly understand the Buddha’s teachings know that this destination is the Western Pure Land. People of other faiths may wish to go to other realms, and their beliefs tell them that those places are their ultimate destination. I do not wish to comment on other religions here; I only wish to share my thoughts with you all. What everyone truly desires is to go home—to experience the feeling of truly returning home. The infinite emptiness in your heart drives you to search for the Truth without rest. No amount of desire can ever satisfy that void within you. Now, I tell you: because the cycle of rebirth is endless, it fills your heart with infinite suffering and fear. You are simply longing to go home, to reach the shore, and to finally find rest.

Human needs are actually quite simple, yet people always look outward, forgetting that the fundamental cause lies deep within the heart. No matter how much you search outside, or how many objects or desires you grasp, they are fundamentally different from the true thirst within your heart. Therefore, they can never satisfy what you are truly seeking. This is why society is filled with vanity, addiction to the internet, and behaviors driven by a need to stand out, to seek stimulation, or to act out in rebellion. You can no longer find anything to satisfy this sense of extreme emptiness. You seek stimulation to prove your existence. I am now using the Truth—the education of the Buddha’s teachings—to explain this phenomenon. It aligns perfectly. In the world, this is called social psychology, but the brilliance and magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings truly transcend both medicine and psychology. Gradually, this will be verified, and gradually, there will be change, because I believe in this place: the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

The Superiority of the Dharma

Regardless of which school of research one follows, it remains a worldly method. The magnificence of the Buddha’s teachings far exceeds the mediocrity of worldly laws. This is something everyone must remember. The psychological problems common in people's hearts today—emptiness, depression, bipolar disorder, panic—are visible in almost everyone. If you do not admit that you suffer from these, that is fine, but your eyes have already revealed everything. The unease in everyone's heart is extremely severe. Believe me, what you want is simply the feeling of returning home. That is the home in the Western Pure Land, not a mundane, ordinary house in this world.

The Path to True Peace

Believe in this, and it will not cost you a single cent. You only need to shift your mental note, believe in this truth, and firmly believe that one day you will surely return. Every day you live in this world should be for the sake of drawing closer to the day you return home. In this way, your life will be filled with motivation and vitality. You must live every day to the fullest and bring this good news to others. You can no longer be panicked or afraid; instead, you can have a solid, peaceful heart, because your heart is already settled in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You know clearly that you can attain liberation in this lifetime. Gradually, as you come into contact with and deeply understand these teachings, you will let go. You will develop a different perspective from the bottom of your heart. Everyone’s Causal Conditions and experiences are different, and their reactions will not be the same, but what remains the same is that on the day you awaken, you will not only make vows, but you will also stop all the activities you are currently engaged in within this world—including endless grasping and the desire for control. You will naturally let go of any desire, because you will know that everything here is illusory. You may think this is impossible right now, but if that day comes, you will be grateful for this world. You will discover that this is the Truth. You will practice, and you will seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land. On that day, do not forget that there is a wonderful place in this world called the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, which is always ready to lead every child in the entire universe who wishes to go home. This is my deepest feeling, and I hope everyone truly believes that all of this is real. Namo Amituofo."