Who Truly Masters Your Life?

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

April 28, 2024, Noon Offering

Words of Namo Amituofo:

The Wandering Spirit Across the Six Realms

All beings who cycle through the six realms of rebirth possess a spirit. As this spirit journeys through the six realms of existence, it is subject to the laws of karma and cause and effect. Depending on the specific karma one has accumulated, the spirit manifests in various forms and appearances. This process of taking on a physical form is the direct result of one's past actions.

Beyond the human world, where we possess a human body, the spirit manifests in countless other ways throughout the world. We see this in the myriad forms of life: animals, insects, and the tiny creatures that crawl or fly. Whether they are born from a womb, an egg, moisture, or through transformation, all these beings are manifestations of the spirit. Even the physical world—wishing to be as free as the wind, mountains & rivers, the flowers, the trees, and all earthly creatures possess this underlying spirit. In the natural world, the presence of the spirit is ubiquitous. Every spirit carries with it a consciousness, and these spirits are bound to the laws of karma, which dictate how that consciousness functions within their respective realms.

The Unseen Threads of Cause and Effect

Within each of the six realms of existence, the consciousness functions in unique ways. This consciousness is a storehouse containing both Goodness and evil, as well as the seeds of causes and their eventual fruits. It holds the complex web of relationships formed across past lives—the debts to be repaid, the grievances to be settled, and the kindnesses to be returned. These interactions are constantly unfolding within the six realms of existence.

This cycle demonstrates that the beings of the six paths are not truly in control; rather, they are mastered by their own karma. This karma is expressed and enacted through the Body, Speech, and Mind. Because we are often unaware of these hidden forces, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of suffering, driven by the momentum of our past actions.

The Heart as the Gateway to Liberation

Human beings are often referred to as the most spiritual of all creatures. This is because the contents of our consciousness can be accessed and influenced by the intent of our spirit. Our heart and our spirit exist together; the heart has the power to drive and influence the actions of both the spirit and the body. Therefore, when you practise the Dharma, you must start by putting in the work within your own heart. By doing so, you can transform the situations of your spirit and your body. You can even change the destination of your spirit when it leaves the body at the end of this life.

Your personality traits are a significant factor in the manifestation of karma. If you wish to avoid the constant manifestation of negative karma, you must learn to let go of selfishness. You must strive for a state of no-self and be willing to thoroughly change your personality. This is a highly effective method for preventing the attraction of unwanted karmic retribution.

The Radiant Wisdom of the True Self

Those who have realised their true nature are able to transform their consciousness into wisdom, thereby transforming their karma. The practice of purification is the most effective way to achieve this transformation. For an awakened being, the ordinary, deluded functions of consciousness no longer hold sway. Instead, it is the Prajna wisdom that takes the lead. Consequently, the karma that would normally be attracted by deluded thoughts no longer has the conditions to manifest. There is no longer a display of heavy karmic retribution.

Instead, the awakened being lives a life guided by the power of their vows and the light of Prajna wisdom. Because there is no manifestation of negative karma, they live a life where their true self is the master. They live without selfishness, without the ego of no-self, and they dedicate their existence to the work of saving infinite sentient beings and bringing them to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Path You Choose to Walk

My dear disciples, you must ask yourselves: do you wish to continue living a life governed by the six realms of rebirth, defined by birth, aging, sickness, death, and mastered by the heavy weight of your own karma? Or do you wish to live a life of Awakening, guided by Prajna wisdom, where your true self is the master? The choice is yours to make, and the path to liberation is open to all who are willing to put in the work.

Namo Amituofo