Why Can You Not Let Go?

The Burden of Lingering Attachments

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui. On May 5, 2024, we reflect upon the nature of our practice. When you enter the temple to seek the Dharma, to cultivate blessings and Wisdom, or even when you have taken the vows of a monastic, why is it that you still find it so difficult to let go? Why do you remain preoccupied with the people, events, and material objects that exist outside the temple walls?

For those who have dedicated their lives to practice, this inability to release the past and this constant state of worry are not merely habits. They are the manifestations of karma. When you cannot let go, it is often because your karmic creditors are present, creating interference in your life. These attachments act as emotional shackles, binding you so tightly that you cannot move forward on the path of liberation. They become a heavy mental burden, draining your vital energy and polluting the clarity of your original nature.

The Wisdom of the Present Moment

You must realise that the act of letting go is, in itself, the manifestation of true Wisdom. Your practice should always be directed toward this goal of release. The past is already gone; it is a memory that cannot be reclaimed. The future is filled with infinite variables; it is beyond your immediate control. The present moment is the only thing you can truly grasp. Therefore, you must focus your energy on the here and now. When you act for the sake of all beings rather than for your own selfish desires, your path becomes secure and free from error. For the future, simply follow the flow of conditions. In the present, be content and filled with gratitude. As for the past, you must simply let it go.

Breaking the Cycle of Rebirth

No matter how you turn the affairs of this world, they remain within the cycle of reincarnated suffering. Do you truly wish to continue being reincarnated in this cycle? If you do not wish to return to the cycle of rebirth, you must understand the necessity of letting go. You must ensure that you are not stained by worldly concerns, nor should you allow yourself to be touched by them. Instead, you must be fiercely diligent in your practice.

The Path of the Wise

When you finally reach the time of awakening and seeing one's true nature, you will see the truth of all things clearly. At that time, you will possess the ability to transform worldly affinities into Dharma affinities. You will be able to remain unmoved in your heart, even when the world around you is in constant motion. This is the moment when you are truly capable of saving those beings who are connected to you by karmic affinity.

Only by achieving this can you avoid wasting this precious life of practice. Only then can you broadly save all those with whom you have a connection. At Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you have the perfect environment to cultivate this state and ensure your rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the only way to walk the path of a wise person. Namo Amituofo.