In the complex tapestry of human existence, we often find ourselves entangled in the intricate threads of what we call fate. Many ask: does fate truly exist, and if so, does it govern our lives from beginning to end? The answer depends entirely on whether your practice has allowed you to transcend the worldly realm and awaken to your true nature.
Within the concept of fate, there are both auspicious and inauspicious outcomes. We encounter both the heavy weight of misfortune and the light grace of . When people face adversity, they often seek various methods to alter their circumstances. They look for ways to change their luck, hoping to make their lives smoother and more prosperous. In our traditions, there are many such methods for seeking good fortune. People desire wealth, comfort, and a life free from hardship. However, they often fail to realise that these predetermined patterns cannot be solved by superficial rituals or external prayers. Every person's fate is rooted in specific causes. It is largely a reflection of the blessings you have cultivated or the you have created in your past lives. The good or bad results you experience today are simply the ripening of those past seeds. What is truly important now is to ask yourself: are you continuing to perform acts of Goodness and accumulate blessings in this life, or have you already exhausted the store of blessings you brought with you?
The Only Way to Transform Fate
If you wish for a better destiny, you must accumulate merit. It is not possible for everyone to enjoy constant good fortune, nor can you obtain true blessings through mere petitioning. The only way to transform your fate is through the diligent accumulation of merit and virtue. This must be done with sincerity and consistency. Furthermore, the merit you gain should be cultivated without attachment to the outcome. When you give selflessly, your fate will naturally undergo a profound transformation. This is the only genuine way to change your destiny.
Fate exists within the life of every ordinary person, but it does not exist within the life of a true practitioner. Why is this? Because a true practitioner has already begun the process of exiting the cycle of rebirth. They no longer require the constraints of fate, for they have aligned their lives with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
The Limitations of Worldly Control
Within the realm of fate, you may wish to seek good luck or avoid misfortune, but these outcomes are not something you can ultimately control. Life is filled with unpredictable changes. Even the most intelligent people in this world, who believe they have mastered their own lives, are often humbled by the sudden arrival of impermanence. A single accident or an unforeseen event can cause one's entire life to shift dramatically. How can one possibly defend against such things if they are still bound by the laws of karma and cause and effect?
Your fate, whether good or bad, is inextricably linked to the amount of merit you have accumulated. Practice can change everything. If you remain stagnant, trapped within the confines of your own fate, you cannot be the master of your life. The life you desire will remain elusive, and even if you attain it, without the foundation of Goodness and merit, it will eventually be lost. It cannot last. When your life comes to an end, everything you have chased will vanish. Those who follow only the path of fate are destined to experience only birth and death; in the end, they gain nothing.
to the Truth
Fate is merely a temporary and illusory experience. It exists only because you possess a human body. If you spend your entire life focused only on these illusory matters, you lose countless opportunities for achievement. You have the potential to reclaim your original abilities, but if you lose the opportunity to purify your body, mind, and spirit, it is a great tragedy indeed.
My primary intention is to counsel the people of this world to awaken, to clear away the clouds of doubt surrounding their lives, and to stop dwelling in erroneous views and ignorant pursuits. If you engage in pure, virtuous actions and cultivate true knowledge, you will naturally find a better path. Through practice, you will come to understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. You will learn to follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, to practise Generosity, and to see through the illusions of this world. By doing so, you can break through the limitations of fate and ensure that it no longer dictates your life.
The Final Call to Clarity
Having observed the red dust of this world, I see that the fate of every person is ultimately pitiable. Should those who are suffering not seek to awaken? You must understand and realise the Truth. Do not return to this world of suffering again. You should seek to awaken and take charge of your own destiny. Know what is real, and know what is truly worth seeking. To live a life of awakening is to walk the true path. You must dissolve the bonds of fate, for only when you are free from these attachments is your life truly real.
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Ashvaghosha
Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Practitioner Shi Faxi
