The Interwoven History of Blood and Tears

The Tapestry of Blood and Tears

Namo Amituofo speaks to us today, reminding us that the five thousand years of Chinese history are woven together with threads of blood and tears. Throughout these long centuries, countless individuals have suffered and perished due to the constant rise and fall of dynasties. The weight of this suffering is immense, and it is borne by many:

• Generals who lead the charge into battle
• Soldiers who sacrifice their lives on the front lines
• Horses and other animals caught in the chaos
• Civilians who lose their homes and families
• All earthly creatures who suffer in the wake of destruction

People have endured and tolerated the profound misfortunes brought about by war. They have faced the agony of fleeing their homes and the heartbreak of seeing their families torn apart. While these events are the fruits of causes planted in the past—the karmic results that must be experienced—they rarely bring anything other than death, injury, and separation. There is no true joy or lasting happiness in these conflicts. Even when a victory is claimed, it is often a fleeting joy purchased at the cost of widespread devastation and the suffering of all living beings.

The Cosmic Reach of Conflict

It is important to realise that war is not a phenomenon limited to our Earth. It exists in other planets and in other worlds throughout the vast cosmos. War inevitably causes injury, death, and profound suffering for all beings involved. In every conflict, there is a side that claims victory and a side that suffers defeat. As the saying goes, the victors become kings, while the defeated are branded as outlaws. Within the cycle of rebirth, we see these scenes of war play out time and time again, with the results of victory and defeat being vastly different, yet equally rooted in the same cycle of suffering.

The Shadow of Karmic Control

These outcomes are not something that an individual can truly control. Even the leaders of these conflicts often find that they are no longer the masters of their own actions. Instead, they are driven by the forces of their own karma. It is the karmic creditors or the demon crowds that take control, exerting the power necessary to inflict such immense harm upon so many beings. This raises a vital question for every one of us: is your own true self still in charge of your life?

The Departure of the True Self

If you are still breathing and alive, it means your true self is still present within your body. However, it may not be the one in control. You might be allowing your karma, your karmic creditors, or the demon crowds to dictate your actions. When these negative forces take the lead, the evil deeds that are committed are ultimately recorded against your true self and your physical body, and you will be the one to bear the consequences. If you have already ceased breathing, it indicates that your true self has departed from the body. The conditions of this world have come to an end, and the physical form will be returned to the earth or cremated.

Returning to the Light of the Buddha

Do these matters feel distant or unrelated to you? In truth, they are not. Impermanence is always standing by your side. For those who have not yet transformed their karma, these realities are visible everywhere and can be encountered at any moment. The stains of blood and tears in history were once yours, mine, and theirs. Now that you have entered the Buddha’s gate to practise, you must resolve to stop this cycle. You must turn your focus inward and chant one Buddha's name to the end. By doing so, you affirm your true nature and return to the path of the Buddha. Namo Amituofo.