The True Meaning of Faith and Liberation from Birth and Death

The Reality of Our Existence

How many events in your life are truly under your own control? In this human world, we often find ourselves caught in a web of Causal Conditions and the laws of karma and cause and effect. We are tossed about by forces we cannot see, and because of this, our true nature is often obscured. We live our lives believing we are the masters of our destiny, yet we are frequently pushed and pulled by the momentum of our past actions.

During the noon offering, we make offerings to the heavens, the earth, and the vast, empty space. We also make offerings to the countless ghost deities and sentient beings who gather around us. The number of these beings is truly beyond calculation. It is not enough to simply provide them with food; we must understand that these beings are in great need of spiritual assistance.

The True Purpose of Dharma Assemblies

When we perform a Dharma assembly, we must rely on the power of Namo Amituofo to provide the necessary support. Why is this essential? Because when so many spirits from the unseen realms arrive, they are not merely seeking to be fed. They are seeking a way out of their suffering. Therefore, we must:

• Provide them with the teachings of the Dharma to help them understand their situation.
• Perform Chao Du to help them release their attachments and karmic burdens.
• Guide them, one by one, to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

A true Dharma assembly for Chao Du must recognise the vital importance of sending these beings to the Western Pure Land. If this is not the primary focus, one must ask: how many of the spirits invited to the assembly are still lingering at the site after it concludes? Many people in this world do not understand these realities. They attend various Dharma assemblies, large and small, driven only by a vague sense of devotion or a desire to follow others. Because they cannot see the truth of what is occurring, they remain in a state of confusion, unable to find clarity within themselves.

Distinguishing True Practice from Folk Beliefs

If you are truly practising the Dharma, you must understand the importance of chanting Namo Amituofo with a pure and focused heart. You should reflect on your own progress: are you becoming clearer and more awakened as you practise, or are you becoming more confused? You must ask yourself if the Truth you are pursuing is correct, and whether your practice is truly capable of leading you to liberation from birth and death, thereby bringing you the greatest possible benefit.

If your practice is limited to the ten directions of the cycle of rebirth, then it is not the true path. It is merely a form of folk religion. True practice requires a deeper commitment to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. It requires us to look beyond the surface and seek the ultimate liberation that only the Pure Land path can provide.

The Urgency of Purification

If you have only a few years left in this human world, you must use this time to elevate your spirit through purification. You must be proactive and seize every opportunity to refine your heart and mind. There is little time left for hesitation, and the Causal Conditions of this world are constantly changing in ways we cannot predict. Even the Buddha cannot intervene if the conditions for your own awakening have not been cultivated by you.

You must think clearly about the choices you are making right now. Namo Amituofo counsels you: purification is the only path you should choose. The significance of this purification is so profound that it is difficult to express in words. The wealth, fame, and emotions of this world cannot help you transcend birth and death. Only a heart and mind that have undergone true purification can be free, and only such a life is truly meaningful.

Your physical body will not last long in this world. Why not seek to understand the nature of birth and death while you still can? By resolving your karmic debts and purifying your spirit, you will not have lived this life in vain. True salvation is not found in the dust of this world, for even good deeds performed with attachment will only keep the wheel of karma turning. Only by helping yourself and others to achieve liberation can you touch the true essence of the Dharma.

Namo Amituofo.