Emotional attachments are like heavy chains that bind the spirit. In truth, these are merely the manifestation of past . When a spirit arrives in this world, it is often already covered in the vines of these attachments. When the roots of emotion begin to sprout, they completely obstruct your true . You forget your original purpose and lose sight of why you are here. Why do you allow yourself to be used by these fleeting emotions?
You have come into this human world, yet you do not use your time to cultivate your true nature. Instead, you fill your spirit with worldly emotions, leaving your soul lost, confused, and suffering. Whether you are clinging to family, friends, or romantic partners, you are trapped within this space, unable to understand how to properly conduct yourself. Your original nature is like a bright, luminous pearl, but it has been muddied by the waters of desire. It is buried deep within the human world, leaving you without a master, drifting along the path of karma.
The Endless Cycle of Rebirth
If you do not understand the nature of these emotions in this life, you will find yourself lost when the time comes to depart. If you cannot let go of these attachments, where will your body and spirit go? Your consciousness will scatter, and you will be cast into various paths of karma. You may be reborn as a chicken, a dog, a cow, or a sheep. Within these various realms of existence, how many beings do you think you have known in past lives? The cycle of rebirth is exactly like this, yet you remain ignorant and without fear.
You indulge in romantic love and deep attachments, unaware of what is truly real. Your lifespan is limited, and the time of your old age will eventually arrive. Perhaps illness will entangle your body, bringing suffering that drags you down. If your emotions and your karma remain, how can you ever hope to free yourself? At the moment of death, your consciousness will desperately seek to hold onto what it knows, but at that final hour, there is no time left to choose.
The Path to True
Time does not wait for anyone. You must seize the present moment. You must realise that this physical body is false and that death is inevitable. If you can be wise in this very moment, you will understand the truth of awakening. This does not mean that you should simply abandon your responsibilities, but rather that you should place your faith in what is real. Emotion is an illusion; you must understand the true nature of awareness. Do not dwell in emotional thoughts; instead, achieve a state of clear, awakened understanding.
By resolving these emotional entanglements, you resolve the source of your disasters. You will find a sense of coolness and peace within your body and spirit. Only when you are truly at ease can you walk the path toward rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss. When others face life and death, your love alone cannot help them. We are born alone and we die alone; the bonds of attachment are simply too painful. Whether it concerns your children or your duty to your parents, these are responsibilities you must fulfil, but you must do so without letting emotional attachment arise.
Cultivating the Original Nature
When emotion arises, karma is created; when emotion does not arise, there is no karma. If you can understand this, you can reach the Western Pure Land and save all beings. This is the true essence of the teachings, which is not found in the common talk of the world. If you do not look at the world with attachment, only then will you be free from suffering. Trying to eliminate disasters and resolve difficulties without understanding the truth is not real practice. As long as you remain in this world, impermanence will never cease.
This is not a false perception, but it is difficult to stop seeing the world through the lens of delusion. It is not about stopping your love, but about leaving the Saha world behind. is easy to chant, and the Western Pure Land is easy to speak of, but how do you actually get there? You must achieve true awakening within yourself. You must clearly distinguish between your true heart and your false, ego-driven heart. This is the true study of cultivating the mind; whether you improve or regress depends entirely on your own efforts.
Do not discuss the faults of others; focus only on your own self. If you do not look at the mistakes of others, your own faults will diminish. This is the true path of learning. By clarifying your heart and realising your true nature, you will see the results of your practice and gain the necessary skills for liberation. Free yourself, and then help others to be free. This is the true way to save the world, without the need for increasing emotional attachments. Namo Amituofo.
This message was transcribed by the Buddhist practitioner Shi Faxi.
