Transcending the Illusory World

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Illusion of the World

Human beings have long grown accustomed to living within an illusory world. We drift aimlessly through the six realms of existence, caught in the endless cycle of rebirth. Because we do not understand that these experiences are merely illusory, we mistake them for reality. We throw ourselves into these illusions, and in doing so, we ensure our continued entrapment in the cycle of reincarnation.

How many of us have paused to consider the true purpose of our existence? Is this human life merely a brief performance, a play where we arrive, act out a role, and then depart? If this is all we achieve, it is a profound tragedy to have been gifted this precious human body only to let it pass in vain.

The Mastery of Stillness

If you enter into the path of practice and achieve success—or even reach the state of an awakened being—you will find a different way to exist. When your body moves through the world, engaging with people, events, and environments, your heart remains unmoved. You are no longer pulled by external circumstances. Instead, you gain the ability to transform the environment and truly teach and save other beings.

This state of having a body that moves while the heart remains still is a profound skill in Meditation (Concentration). It is a deep state of concentration manifested by those who have attained the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi and possess the wisdom of the Great Perfection. Within this deep state of concentration:

• Everything becomes clear and reveals its true nature.
• You perceive the absolute truth of existence.
• You are no longer deceived by the false and illusory appearances of the world.

Guiding Others Home

While being lost in illusion does not damage your true self-nature, it does cause your life to be consumed by the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death. A wise person understands this truth. They cherish every minute and second of their human life, ensuring that every moment is spent in diligent practice rather than being wasted. To waste time is truly a great pity.

Because your heart is unmoved, you can perceive the true reality of all things. Through the power of Buddhist education, you can teach and save other beings. This work is not limited by the identity of the person you are helping, nor by the constraints of time or the limitations of physical space. You can help others understand the difference between the real and the illusory. You can guide them so they are no longer deceived by the world, allowing them to live within the truth. You help their spirits find the path home, providing them with stability and a true refuge. No longer will they drift in emptiness; instead, they will rediscover their true self-nature.

This unmoved heart is not easily attained. It is forged through the purification of your practice and through the tempering of a thousand trials and tests. This is the essential skill required for anyone who wishes to save other beings.

Namo Amituofo