Transcending the Web of Emotion

The Heavy Burden of Attachment

It is said that if one's attachment to emotion is not heavy, one will not fall into the cycle of rebirth in this Saha world. All sentient beings in this world are caught in the relentless turning of the wheel of karma. Within this karma, there is emotion, and this emotion pulls us deeper into the vast, turbulent ocean of karmic suffering. How many heroes and great individuals have been lost to the illusions of romantic and worldly emotion? They become confused, lose their way, and ultimately sacrifice their bright futures and their potential for true awakening. They are lost because their attachment to emotion is so deep that they cannot pull themselves free.

The Illusion of the Worldly Life

After one passes away, where does this intense emotion go? When everything eventually turns to emptiness, what remains? There is nothing left but dry bones scattered in the wind. You must use your Wisdom to escape this trap. You must extract yourself from the web of emotion. Do not allow yourself to be entangled in this web, for it will only harm your body, your heart, and your spirit. You must transform your attachment to sentient beings into a commitment to the Dharma. This is the path of true compassion and Wisdom.

The Discipline of the Heart

In your practice, you must guard your Precepts with the utmost care. While the physical Precepts are easier to observe, the Precepts of the heart are subtle and difficult to see; therefore, they require even stricter vigilance. If even the slightest trace of emotional thought arises, it can quickly grow and become difficult to control. You must cut it off immediately to avoid great suffering. This is especially true for the Precepts regarding lust, which both monks and nuns must strictly uphold. When the heart is moved by desire, it causes harm, creates karma, and leads to transgression. It disturbs the purity of your mind and confuses your Wisdom. Therefore, you must keep your distance from such temptations and avoid them entirely.

The Influence of Karmic Creditors

When you are haunted by dreams in the dead of night, it is often your karmic creditors manifesting as the objects of your desire. They use these illusions to make it difficult for you to resist, effectively hooking your spirit and drawing you into their realm. They lock away your soul, causing your vitality to dissipate until your appearance becomes withered and aged. These are the karmic creditors who seek to claim your spirit. You must quickly develop a heart that is weary of the suffering caused by emotion. Recognise that all these things are illusory and resolve to leave them behind. Do not let your karmic creditors continue to be the masters of your life.

A Compassionate Message to the Spirits

To the karmic creditors, I say this: The emotional wounds of the past are difficult to heal, and the pain you carry remains even now. Why continue to suffer such heartache? The beings you once held dear have long since forgotten the past, leaving you with nothing but endless sorrow and resentment. That past life was but a dream. It is better to let go of these past grievances. Instead, chant Namo Amituofo and follow the Buddha-light. Let Namo Amituofo lead you to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. There, you will become a member of the Buddha's realm, forever leaving behind all suffering and finding true happiness.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo