The Truth of Life and Death

The Sacred Mystery of the Earth

The Yilan 'Awakening the Life-Heart, Living a New Life' Body-Mind-Spirit seminar and Thrice Yearning Ceremonies reached their ninth day. On this occasion, Namo Amituofo provided profound teachings regarding the true nature of our existence. The earth nurtures all things, and among the countless creatures that inhabit this world, most rely upon the earth for their survival. However, the earth is not merely the physical dust of this world. It possesses a profound and hidden mystery that transcends our ordinary perception. It is not just a foundation of soil and stone, but a reflection of the deeper, underlying reality of the universe.

The Illusion of Birth and Death

We often perceive life and death as a cycle of constant beginning and ending. Yet, in the ultimate sense, there is no birth and no death. Beings mistakenly believe in the reality of birth and death, but this is merely a misunderstanding of the true nature of existence. This is a constant, unchanging Truth. Even amidst the myriad changes of the world, this Truth remains. It depends entirely on your heart. When your heart is stirred by external conditions, you perceive change; when your heart is "unmoved," you perceive the underlying reality. This is the manifestation of true Wisdom.

The Path to Realisation

To be "unmoved" is to be capable of all things. Change is merely an illusion of the false mind. Our false knowledge, false perceptions, and false views create the appearance of birth and death. But the false is fundamentally non-existent. Only when you realise that the false is empty can you verify the Truth. The Truth is not the same as the concept of extinction. To be "unextinguished" means you must know the Truth and see through the cycle of birth and death. Namo Amituofo. Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.