The Preciousness of the Human Body and the Path to Liberation

The Rare Treasure of a Human Life

On the fifth of October, 2017, National Master Xianshou offered these teachings regarding the human body and the true meaning of being human. It is often said that the human body is difficult to obtain, and the Buddha’s teachings are difficult to hear. These phrases are familiar to many; they roll off the tongue with ease. However, how many of you truly realise the profound rarity of this human life? How many truly grasp the difficulty of encountering the True Teachings?

Many people assume that because they already possess a human body, it must not be so difficult to obtain. Similarly, they believe that because they have heard of the Buddha’s teachings, the path must be easily accessible. In truth, it is incredibly difficult. Even today, when Namo Amituofo truly abides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, the miraculous responses, the benefits of the Dharma, and the magnificent atmosphere of our Dharma assemblies are met with indifference by many. This is deeply concerning for the world today, including within the Buddhist community itself.

Walking Through the Twilight of the Dharma

We are currently living in the age of the Dharma’s decline. There are fewer people who truly believe and listen to the teachings compared to the eras of the True Teachings and the Semblance Teachings. Furthermore, if those who transmit the Dharma or preside over temples lack the correct knowledge, correct mindfulness, correct practice, and correct intention, the followers cannot truly understand the inner essence of the leader. Often, they dedicate vast amounts of money, time, and physical effort, yet the actual benefits of the Dharma they receive are limited.

Nevertheless, the sincere heart and correct intention of the followers will still naturally attract the benefits of the Dharma and the power of blessings and merit. However, followers and Dharma protectors must be cautious. If you support a path that is misguided, you may inadvertently cause harm, and you will have to bear the consequences according to the laws of karma and cause and effect. Everything in this world is a matter of causal conditions, with people constantly receiving and giving. Some followers are truly sincere, without complaint or regret, even braving wind and rain to participate in the work of the temple.

The Sacred Duty of the Great Virtuous Ones

When we look at the big picture, there is a lack of great virtuous ones—those who possess true attainment and have realised their true nature—to guide and lead the masses. What does it truly mean to be liberated? How does one escape the suffering of the six realms of existence? What is Namo Amituofo? What is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss? How can one be reborn there?

• Many consider chanting Buddha’s name to be simple, convenient, and magnificent.It is indeed simple, convenient, and magnificent.Yet, precisely because of this, it is often overlooked or neglected.Consequently, people lose the great benefit of using this human body to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

To waste this human life is to suffer in vain. In the next life, you may lose this human body entirely. If you lose the human form, the opportunity to hear the Buddha’s teachings, to seek liberation, and to be reborn in the Western Pure Land becomes a distant, unreachable dream.

The Perilous Currents of Misleading Paths

What are the laws of karma and cause and effect? In this age of the Dharma’s decline, misleading teachers are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River. When a great virtuous one is able to distinguish the True Teachings and recognise true attainment, they should be working to save the world. Instead, some choose to disagree or even slander the truth, causing followers to abandon the right path. As time passes, second by second, how many human beings and spirits have missed the precious opportunity to hear the True Teachings and be reborn in the Western Pure Land? The six realms of existence are terrifying. Once you lose the human body and fall back into the cycle of rebirth, when will you ever find a way out? Who will bear the weight of this karma? How can it be borne?

As a great virtuous one, your responsibility is to save the world and rescue all beings. Why must your eyes be clear? It is to see the true reality of all laws, to help beings leave suffering behind, and to save them so they may be reborn in the Western Pure Land, thus not failing to honour the grace of Namo Amituofo. You should strive for the transmission of the Buddha’s teachings and protect, cherish, and assist those who are coming after you. Do not stand by and watch as the younger generation is left without guidance. They could have been helping to save the masses and sending them to the West, yet they are restricted. This is truly a cause for great lamentation.

Awakening to the Compassionate Call of Namo Amituofo

The Saha world is an evil place; purity is not easily maintained, let alone achieving the state of an awakened being. You should treat this opportunity as a treasure, cherishing and protecting it. Thanks to the support of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the ancestral masters, the True Teachings have been preserved, and a pure Buddha-land has been nurtured and allowed to grow. Great virtuous ones, you have this human life to save the world, yet if no one is reborn in the Western Pure Land, your practice is incomplete. It is like charging forward to break through a difficult barrier, only to find that those behind you cannot follow; this is a break in the transmission of the path.

It is a pity that in this life, you possess a human body and the wisdom to hear the Great Sutras, yet you fail to support the true successors who have grasped the essence of the sutras, who can truly transmit the Dharma, and who can truly save all spirits. National Master Xianshou sees this and sighs for the spirits. Spirits without bodies can participate in Dharma ceremonies; they have spiritual connections and know who can save them. They rush forward to see Namo Amituofo, take their seats on the lotus platforms, and smile as they are reborn in the Western Pure Land.

It is a tragedy that the human body is so difficult to save and so difficult to believe in. Many who study Buddhism today think they have already learned enough, that they have received the transmission and achieved success, yet they are still plagued by afflictions and sorrow. They cannot even speak of having realised their true nature. Where is the achievement? Even if the number of followers is vast, if no one is reborn in the Western Pure Land, can this be called an achievement? You should assist the younger generation who wish to enter the Pure Land. Perhaps among them are great talents for spreading the Dharma who need to be cultivated. Namo Amituofo, the guide of the Pure Land, stands watching with compassionate eyes, seeing all beings floating in the sea of suffering, ready at any moment to extend His arms and receive you to the West. If you, as a great virtuous one, can understand this, turn back quickly, and join hands to save all beings, Namo Amituofo will surely show His joyful smile. Let us all be reborn in the Western Pure Land, where the lotus flowers in the precious pond sway in the breeze. This is the moment; the Buddha-land is manifesting right now. Namo Amituofo.