Recorded and transcribed by ’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
To truly progress in your practice, you must first understand the intricate relationship between your body, your mind, and your spirit. Only when you grasp this connection can you live clearly in every moment, and only then can your spiritual practice truly advance.
The Governance of
In this very moment, who is truly in control of your body? It is a question you must ask yourself with complete honesty. Are you being directed by demon crowds, , attached spirits, or your own true self? These influences often pull you away from the path of light and wisdom, seeking balance for old grievances or latching onto your energy to influence your thoughts and actions.
At Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su possesses the awakened vision to see these realities with absolute clarity. Therefore, when you find yourself clouded by ignorance and unable to see the truth of your own situation, you must learn to listen. Listening to guidance allows you to understand your current state, return quickly to the right path, and find the opportunity for genuine progress and the realisation of your true nature.
The Consequences of Stagnation
If you find it difficult to overcome your habits or change your personality, you may remain under the control of demon crowds, karmic creditors, or attached spirits. When you cannot master your own life, the consequences are severe: you will fall into a state of mental dullness and , and you will find it difficult to improve your spiritual state or transcend your current dimension.
Furthermore, your physical body will age more rapidly, and various illnesses will manifest. These conditions will negatively impact your body, mind, and spirit, making it nearly impossible to make any meaningful progress on the path. Conversely, if your true self is in charge, your development will naturally lean towards goodness, purity, and spiritual growth. You will be able to let go of the self, release selfishness, and truly see through the illusions of this world, which is the path that leads to the possibility of .
The Significance of True Cultivation
You must understand the vital importance of using this false body to achieve True Cultivation. Because you possess this temporary physical form, you have the unique opportunity to break through the various challenges it brings. These challenges include the Five Aggregates—form, feeling, perception, , and —as well as the various external environments and the tests presented by other beings.
By navigating these trials, you can elevate the quality of your spirit and undergo continuous purification. This is the only way to find your way back to your true nature. This is why this physical body, despite its impermanence, is so significant.
The Final Transition
Ultimately, this false body has an end. When causal conditions gather, is formed by the union of the four elements. When those conditions dissipate, the body falls apart. For ordinary people, this is the moment of the suffering of the separation of the four elements, which is the agony of death.
However, if you have been diligent in your practice, you will be able to chant the name of Namo Amituofo at the end of your life and make a sincere vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. If your practice of chanting is strong, you will remain focused, undistracted, and clear-headed. You will be led by Namo Amituofo to the Western Pure Land, thereby avoiding the suffering of the separation of the four elements.
At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Practitioner Su is able to freely travel to and from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss at any time. By doing so, he avoids the suffering of the separation of the four elements. He is a true model of one who has realised his true nature through practice. All members of the fourfold assembly should strive to learn from his example.
