Walking in the World: The Preciousness of Human Life

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Venerable HaiZe.

The Rare Jewel of Human Existence

Within the cycle of the six realms of rebirth, the human world offers a unique and precious opportunity. We are here to use this 'temporary' body to find the 'eternal' truth. Our physical form is a combination of conditions; when these conditions gather, the body exists, and when they dissipate, it vanishes. Yet, within this fleeting existence, we have the chance to practise and rediscover our true self. This is why the human body is so incredibly precious.

The Urgent Call to Awakening

If you wish to realise your true nature, you must dedicate yourself to diligent practice. Within the span of a single lifetime, you must cherish every single moment. Use your time wisely and practise with unwavering focus. We must be mindful that if we do not achieve this awakening before our life ends, we will once again be pulled into the cycle of rebirth, drifting through the six realms according to our karma. How can we afford to let even a single second pass in vain?

The Compassionate Vow of the Practitioner

To realise one's true nature and save all beings is the duty of every practitioner, and it is especially the responsibility of the monks and nuns within the temple. We live in the Five Turbidities and Evil World, where people suffer immensely. They are bound by endless hardships, particularly the unavoidable suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Because beings do not understand their own true self, they mistakenly believe that these sufferings are simply the natural order of life. Consequently, they remain trapped in the cycle of rebirth, unable to find a way out.

A Luminous Path Through the Turbid World

This is why we must rely on the Three Jewels to propagate the Dharma and the Pure Land Dharma Gate. It is vital that Buddhist education is spread throughout the world. The Pure Land Dharma Gate, in particular, is a beacon of light for all people, benefiting both the living and the departed. The sacred name of Namo Amituofo, the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the Fragrant Light Pure Land serve as the ultimate exit from this cycle of suffering. They are the destination for our spirits, the refuge for our hearts, and the path for our bodies. In this world, which is overflowing with the Five Desires and the Six Dusts, where suffering beings are found everywhere, this path is an urgent necessity.

Namo Amituofo.