The Journey to Find Your True Self

The Endless Cycle of Wandering

For countless aeons, the weary soul has been travelling through the vast expanse of time. You have endured immense hardships and experienced the profound sorrows of existence. All of this struggle has been driven by a singular, deep-seated longing: to find the true self, the eternal self that remains untouched by the passage of time. Yet, even now, you continue to be reborn, taking on new physical forms and drifting through the six realms of existence. You wander from this world to others, caught in the relentless current of reincarnation. This sight brings great sorrow to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who look upon your plight with infinite compassion. They call out to you, saying: Child, you do not have to suffer! You do not have to remain trapped in this cycle of pain.

The path to liberation is simpler than you might imagine, yet it requires a profound shift in your perspective. You must be willing to let go of everything you currently believe you possess. This includes, most importantly, the body that you guard so tightly. When you cling to the physical form as if it were the entirety of your being, you invite suffering. This suffering is not merely physical; it is a deep, persistent ache within the heart. By releasing your attachment to the body, you can finally leave suffering behind and find the peace you have been searching for across so many lifetimes.

The True Meaning of Letting Go

There is a higher purpose for the body, one that transcends personal comfort. When you allow your physical existence to be used for the benefit of all beings, your perspective changes entirely. Even if you must endure physical pain for the sake of others, your heart remains untouched by that suffering. You are helping beings find liberation, and in doing so, you are fulfilling the true potential of your life. Consider the following aspects of this selfless practice:

• Selfless Service: You accept the burden of others' suffering so that they may find relief and eventually reach the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
• Finding Meaning: You feel a profound sense of comfort and worth, knowing that your life has been used to help others leave suffering behind.
• Transcending the Self: You realise that your life has not been lived in vain, as you have contributed to the greater good of all sentient beings.

This is the true meaning of practice. Like a lotus flower blooming in the mud, you remain pure and untainted by the environment around you. This is how a practitioner discovers the true value and significance of their life.

The Lotus in the Mud

Many people live in constant fear. They are terrified that their bodies will be injured, that they will fall ill, or that they will eventually lose their physical form. Because they are so attached to their own comfort, they often inadvertently cause suffering to others. If you remain a practitioner who is constantly preoccupied with the self—constantly thinking, 'This is my body,' 'These are my feelings,' or 'I am in pain'—you will continue to experience the cycle of suffering. There will be no end to your hardship, for you have not yet learned the essence of the Buddha’s teachings on how to truly leave suffering behind.

How can such a practitioner ever hope to be free from the dictates of fate? In the cycle of rebirth, you may have moments of insight, yet you find yourself unable to locate that true, unburdened heart. You are left to be tossed about by the relentless forces of karma, living a life defined by the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. You move back and forth through the six realms of existence, unable to break free because you have not yet learned to let go of the ego.

The Compassionate Call of Namo Amituofo

Children, the time has come, for the Buddha is here! I have come from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to stand before you. My purpose is to help you find your original nature, the true self that has always been within you. When you learn to let go of the body, even if you are still enduring the hardships of this world for the sake of others, your heart will remain free from pain. You will experience a state of profound peace and serenity. You will no longer be shaken by the stimuli or the blows of the world. You will become a person who is strong, settled, and unmoving.

I wish to help you, but you must be willing to accept that help. If you do not open your heart, I can only watch as you continue to suffer, unable to intervene. Remember that the Buddha resides within the heart of every child. If you are sincere, if you have faith, and if you keep the Buddha in your heart, you will find me waiting for you. At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I stand with hands outstretched, ready at any moment to lead those who chant Namo Amituofo and sincerely vow to reach the Western Pure Land. You are operating within the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Do not turn back; continue your practice with a firm heart, and you shall surely return home.

Namo Amituofo