The Sacred Significance of Sharira

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

September 23, 2022.

The Sacred Legacy of the Masters

Sharira are the sacred relics left behind after the cremation of the ancestral masters and venerable masters of the Buddha’s gate. These relics are remarkably solid, indestructible, and precious. When you behold a Sharira, it is as if you are seeing the master themselves. These relics serve a profound purpose for those who come after: they inspire us to reflect upon the great achievements of the masters, encourage us to admire and emulate their noble character and conduct, and serve as a testament to their contributions to the Buddha’s teachings while they were in this world. Ultimately, they provide confidence to later practitioners, encouraging us to follow in their footsteps with unwavering faith.

The Illusion of the Physical Form

The physical body is ultimately an illusion. A true practitioner must clearly recognise this fundamental truth. At the same time, one must also understand that obtaining a human body is rare and precious. Therefore, one should exhaust every effort in this lifetime to walk the path of practice. One must observe the conditions of this world, perform the work of saving the world, and guide all beings toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss until the very end of one's life.

When a master passes away and their body is cremated, the Sharira that remain serve as an offering to all living creatures. They allow people to pay their respects, and through the master's legacy of spreading the Dharma, they continue to save infinite beings, resolve their confusion, and guide them toward the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Understanding the Nature of Bone and Karma

The physical bone structure is known as the earth element among the four elements that compose the human body. There are distinct differences between the bone structures of men and women. Because of the necessity of pregnancy and the nurturing of a child, a woman's body undergoes a unique process. As the fetus develops, the mother's bone marrow provides the essential nutrients for the child's growth. Consequently, the bones of a woman who has given birth often appear more porous and are more prone to brittleness.

Furthermore, because women often carry deeper emotional entanglements, it is more challenging to remove these stains. Because the purification of these emotional burdens is more difficult, the transformation of karma is limited, and the karmic nature of the bones remains, which contributes to this porous condition. Men, not having the role of pregnancy, generally possess a bone structure that is denser than that of a woman who has borne children. When a man engages in diligent practice and purification, the bones are cleansed, allowing them to maintain the integrity of the earth element, which results in a more solid and durable bone structure.

A Solemn Warning to All Practitioners

However, even if one possesses karmic bone qualities, through diligent practice, one can remove defilements and attain purity. This purification allows the bones to become solid and clear, which is why, upon cremation, one may obtain white, pure Sharira. It is important to understand that these Sharira are a manifestation of one's contribution to teaching and guiding beings while in this world.

Yet, the presence of Sharira does not necessarily mean that in every thought, intention, or in one's daily speech and conduct, one has never created the causes for the hells or that one will not receive the retribution of the hells. This is a vital point that all practitioners and those who give lectures must take as a serious warning. You must remain vigilant in your every thought and intention, ensuring that you are truly walking the right path.

Namo Amituofo